The following firms are being recognized for their extensive and important contributions to high-end Silicon Valley residences. Many of the firms have roots in the Bay Area, giving them close connections to their work and a profound respect for the region, climate, and natural landscapes. These getaways, often tucked away in forests or atop hillsides are beautiful creations that are redefining the modern home. Innovative approaches to dealing with the landscape, climate, and use of unique and sustainable materials is a common thread, resulting in gorgeous works that put Silicon Valley homes on the map.

About Topos Architecture

Topos is an architecture firm founded in 1992 by Principal architect Peter Baltay. Peter has over 25 years of experience designing, building, and remodeling homes. He has a Master of Architecture from the University of Washington and a Master of Science in Structural Engineering. As a fairly small team of seven, Topos executes at a high-end level, providing custom home designs, remodels, renovations, and additions to the Silicon Valley area. Topos prides itself on projects that are uniquely designed to fit their intended space — their projects tend to fit the environment and client in order to create a healthy sense of place. A number of their latest projects feature beautiful homes in Palo Alto and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Featured Projects

Topos designed a beautiful new Mediterranean-style home for a family that features office space for the parents, extensive window and light wells with gorgeous landscaping, and masonry finishes to bring in lots of light. The beautiful views allow for a peaceful experience, and the home also features open kitchen, living, and dining rooms for a family-friendly lifestyle. Details include Italian mahogany windows, hand-split limestone, and antique clay roof tiles. The home is truly a Tuscan Villa with a modern flare. The Page Mill House is an exquisite home that sits atop a canyon that overlooks Silicon Valley. The home was built for a couple who are research scientists. There’s a beautiful view from the high windows that look out into the city, while the use of oak parallels the natural aspect of the trees and elements of that hillside. Exposed posts and beams were actually recycled from an 1800s mill, which makes the structure appear almost like a mill itself.

About Bohlin Cywinski Jackson

Bohlin Cywinski Jackson is an internationally recognized and award-winning architect. They have been recognized by Green Projects and has received an AIA Architecture Firm Award and an AIA Gold Medal. BCJ’s work was initially focused on energy efficiency and environmentally conscious design, and it remains a central focus of the firm today. To Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, the most important aspect of the design process is the ability to harvest the climate of a particular site and to take into account the places where he can make the most of the elements and create the most efficient structure. Across the US, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson is behind several notable commercial buildings and projects, as well as some innovative residential work but is on this list for specific projects in the Silicon Valley Area.

Featured Projects

Bohlin Cywinski Jackson is responsible for an award-winning residence in Los Altos. This family home was a modern take on the California ranch that the clients wanted, and features the use and central focus of natural trees and landscapes growing in the area. The home is a peaceful and beautiful getaway from a more urban environment. The design began around an existing Japanese maple tree and takes into account the mild climate of Silicon Valley. The windows and doors are designed to fill the home with air and light. Sliding doors allow for the indoors to blend with the outdoors. The site features a meditation garden just outside the master bedroom for the ultimate in calm and peaceful aesthetics. There is a natural crispness to the design and the palette, which maintains a simple and tranquil feel. BCJ also worked on a beautiful farmhouse style home in wine country, in Calistoga, CA. The home is located in the midst of grape vines and walnut trees, and complements the clients’ styles and passions as winemakers. The remodel included strengthening and simplifying the floor plan and creating more unity and flow within the structure.

About Square Three Design Studios

Square Three Studios is a Palo Alto-based firm that has completed a number of diverse projects ranging from small residential remodels to multi-million-dollar commercial projects. The firm is built upon uncompromising service and genuine communication and rapport with their clients. Square Three Studios believes in a modern and updated approach and the use of the latest technology, using software like CAD to create designs and models with accuracy and flexibility. As a firm, they value working collaboratively with each other as well as with consultants, government agencies, and trade industries in order to create successful project execution.

Featured Projects

In the latest news around Square Three Studios, they are being featured in the AIA Silicon Valley Home Tour. The home is in Menlo Park and was inspired by contemporary 1950s-style homes, which often feature large expanses of glass — open plans that feature marrying the indoors with the outdoors. The stylistic detail will be featured, including low-profile roof planes, trellis structures, and a variety of finish materials, including stucco, wood, steel, and brick. Another Palo Alto home features a beautiful family residence that blends the modern and comfortable. The kitchen features full sliding glass doors that open up into the backyard and give the area a bright, open feel. The home has built-in shelving and fun nooks and crannies that add a playful and whimsical touch. The wood exterior makes the structure reminiscent of a cozy lodge.

About Timeline Design

Timeline Design is located in Saratoga, CA, just south of Cupertino, and was established by Matthew Harrigan in 1990. Harrigan’s passion for quality and planning established Timeline Design with a mission that every project be “on time and on budget.” Timeline has been committed to providing timely results and communicating with their clients in order to build strong relationships. Timeline is truly a top tier firm with a long list of awards to their name, including Meta awards from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and recognition as one of the “Big 50” by Remodeling Magazine in 2002. The firm was also named one of the Top 50 fastest-growing, privately held companies in Silicon Valley in 2005. Their work has been featured in Design/Build Business, Kitchen & Bath Business, Remodeling Magazine, Eichler News Network, and San Jose Magazine.

Featured Projects

Timeline Design has a long list of custom home projects that are well-crafted with iconic looks that bring quality and detail to Silicon Valley residences. One in particular is a Craftsman-style home in Cupertino, California. The home features a Craftsman-style interior and exterior with traditional and modern touches that fit with the client’s style. The oak floors are highlighted by a downplayed paint sheen, and the residence features sun tunnels to enable natural light. A flow is created in the house by a two-sided fireplace, and vaulted ceilings to make the home feel more spacious and grand. The bathrooms feature mixed tiles and textures to create a playful and rich aesthetic. The home makes for a cozy, family space with beautiful detail and decor. Additionally, a custom home in Saratoga features dark wood floors, big windows, and classic features like crown molding and archways to create an elegant but comfortable atmosphere for a family. The more traditional kitchen features custom cabinets and a large island that invites entertaining.

About Mattingly Thaler Architecture

Mattingly Thaler is a full-service architecture firm that includes planning and interior design for a variety of projects. The firm was founded in 1988 and values design excellence and professional service. Mattingly Thaler is known for high-quality custom homes, educational facilities, commercial interiors, restaurants, galleries, and more. Their work includes new custom homes, additions, estate plans, and green building strategies. Mattingly Thaler was founded by Judith Mattingly and Peter Thaler. Mattingly has a Master of Architecture from Harvard and has a background in high-end residential projects across the Bay Area, as well as restaurants, commercial interiors, campus buildings, and dormitories. Thaler also has a master’s degree in architecture from Harvard. Peter has experience with a number of commercial projects and private homes.

Featured Projects

The Silicon Valley Retreat is a project that sits in the middle of a forest of oak and fir, allowing for a true “off the grid” vibe. The glass walls and decks make use of the natural landscape and allow the scenery to be soaked in. The structure features built-in solar for energy efficiency as well as ventilation. An infinity pool and bocce ball court make this space a perfect getaway, and the ultra-modern decor creates a fun and lively energy, perfect for company or group retreats. Another gorgeous work is the Sea Cliff home, which sits right on the water with a view of the Golden Gate bridge. The project was designed to create a zen-like feel, featuring redwood siding, copper roofs, and a Japanese garden. There are beautiful details that make the home truly special, like a curved staircase with a basket weave stainless steel railing, and a curved glass wall leading into the home office.

About Mark English Architects

Mark English founded Mark English Architects in 1992 and built his firm on sustainable, lasting design. His firm has specialized in custom homes, work, and entertainment projects. Their residential projects are rightfully focused on urban settings and context, given that half of their work is in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area. Mark is also the editor of two online architecture magazines, The Architect’s Take and Green Compliance Plus, making him a thought leader and voice of influence in the industry. Mark English Architects has a number of accolades, including the Merit Award from Gold Nugget Awards 2017, named the Grand Award Winner from Watermark Awards, and recognition in several publications in a variety of magazines and books.

Featured Projects

One of the homes in Los Gatos built by Mark English Architects is a striking creation that features incredible detail and innovative design. It features a stained-glass entryway and a variety of textures and materials with sleek minimalist decor that lets the design and vaulted wood panel ceilings speak for themselves. The high glass windows open up and allow much of the living room to be exposed to natural sunlight. There is a deck that runs alongside almost the entire structure to take full advantage of the view and elevation. The Olive Tree residence is a new home that was built in the Los Altos area with a breathtaking view of the Santa Clara Valley below. The home was designed for a couple who enjoys entertaining, so it has an open plan with a great flow to allow for the perfect environment for hosting. There are various rooms to accommodate different types of spaces, including a fireplace and seating area, a bright and lively kitchen with deep orange accents, a dining area, and a piano room. Ambient lighting and ceiling articulation create the ultimate example of modern sophistication.

About Mark Brand Architecture

Mark Brand is an architecture and interior design firm that combines more than 30 years of experience with award-winning design. As for an aesthetic, MBA values high-end design with practical elements combined with understated elegance and a touch of drama. That said, MBA home projects are pretty eclectic, ranging in style and tastes based on their client. They would rather incorporate a number of influences to bring a unique vision to life. MBA values their relationships with clients, as well as their ability to work efficiently with partners in planning and building. Mark received his architecture degree from UC Berkeley and has experience with several notable firms in the Bay Area. His work has been published in the San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Chronicle, Metropolitan Home, Home, Pink, and more.

“I am inspired by all sorts of things, the world around me, my clients, music, my employees… The list goes on. I am very open to new directions and influences and keep my eyes and my mind open.” – Mark Brand

Featured Projects

One of MBA’s projects features a modern-made-modern again makeover for home in Portola Valley. The space is a 1980s modernist house in some dire need of upgrades and changes, including a sunroom that got so hot it was unusable. As a result, the sunroom was completely demolished to be replaced by a new dining room that opened up into a rejuvenated living room and kitchen. A home office and deck were added above, and all the exterior windows were replaced. Sliding aluminum doors opened up the home a bit and allowed for a more enjoyable view of the woods and hillside. Railings kept the space safe, given that the deck was over 50 feet above the ground. The exterior featured stucco in various shades of gray, white, and black to create new lines and proportions. The master suite was also remodeled, along with the powder room. The Mullet House in San Francisco features a playful take on the concept of “business in the front and party in the back.” The client wanted a truly modern update, but due to the protests of neighbors, a compromise had to be made. As a result, the structure had a more Craftsman-style front and a modern interior and back. The remodel featured a beautiful deck with glass guardrails, a custom zigzag staircase, and an asymmetrical fireplace.

About Swatt Miers Architects

Swatt Miers Architects came about as a merger of two established firms in the San Francisco Bay Area: Swatt Architects and George Miers and Associates. Together they formed a company that would stand for beautiful, sustainable design and quality service. Swatt Miers has received a number of accolades with over 70 awards on local, regional, and national levels. This includes the prestigious National Honor Award from the AIA. Swatt Miers projects have been featured in Architecture, Domas, GA Houses, Interior Design, Hinge, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Process Architecture, Progressive Architecture, and more. Principals include Michael Gale, Julie Liberman, Ivan Olds, Miya Muraki, Connie Wong, and Phoebe Wong-Oliveros.

Featured Projects

SMA was hired to design a Palo Alto home for a family from Israel who had four children. The clients themselves had a passion for architecture, and so the result was a truly collaborative effort that took into consideration the couple’s appreciation for unique materials and details. The key features include cast-in-place concrete, limestone, colored stucco, redwood, and glass set in aluminum frames. The design concept featured two main wings of the home, with one more centered around the adults with a more public feel, and the other more focused on the children’s spaces and guest areas. The central entrance links the two wings and is a source of circulation. The steel-framed stairs bring together various levels of the home, and the exposed steel columns give the space a modern, industrial feel. A modern residence in Berkeley Hills featured a panoramic view of the Golden Gate Bridge and Mount Diablo. The geometric structure sits atop a hill and is a striking site standing at three stories. The residence itself takes full advantage of the prime location and view, featuring a two-story, glass-enclosed family and living room that overlooks the San Francisco Bay.

About Malcolm Davis Architecture

Malcolm Davis Architecture has been in business since 1991 and has designed award-winning work across Northern California, as well as in New York, Wyoming, and Oregon. To Malcolm David Architecture, context is at the center of everything. They believe in strong interior, classic form, and site-specific design. Natural light is a central focus, and MDA prides itself on thoughtful, curated approaches to their client needs and the ability to bring warm elements to modern design techniques. Malcolm Davis, founder and principal, is from the Bay Area himself, so has a strong passion and appreciation for the region. He was born in Berkeley, where he also attended UC Berkeley for both his B.A. and M.A. in Architecture. He’s a problem solver with a restrained palette, who brings over 25 years of experience to his firm.

Featured Projects

One Silicon Valley home is deeply inspired by its Northern California context and climate, utilizing the concept of indoor-outdoor elements to bring out the California lifestyle. The home itself sits among redwoods and oak trees and resembles a modern style villa, giving the structure a retreat and getaway feel that just happens to also be the client’s home. Another project features a home in Palo Alto with a contemporary, Mission-style, featuring a stark white exterior and clay roof. The high glass windows create a more modern, updated look that also allows for a brighter, more open feel. The interior is accented by colorful decor, creating a cozy and comforting atmosphere. Additional designs feature a home in Portola Valley that is nestled so well into the forest and surrounding elements that it resembles a treehouse. Each design varies from the next and tends to include playful and intricate detail. A look into the work by MDA shows why they are a key player in SIlicon Valley’s residential architecture.

About Schwartz and Architecture

Schwartz and Architecture is a tour de force in the Bay Area. Their long list of accolades includes 2017 AIA awards for private homes, a feature in Dwell for residential projects, an American Architecture award for the Overlook Guest House, a Remodeling Design award for Shou Sugi Ban Bath, and a list of features in the New York Times, Wallpaper magazine, SF Magazine, SF C&G Magazine, ArchDaily, and more. Neal Schwartz founded SaA after several years of working with other firms. With dual master’s degrees in architecture and public policy, Schwartz brings a unique perspective to his projects and a talent for managing complex design projects, as well as dealing with permits and what can be a complicated construction process.

Featured Projects

The Overlook Guest House conquered unique challenges, including a site that was so steep and so densely wooded that it was nearly undevelopable. SaA fortunately rose to the challenge to create a beautiful and accessible addition that allowed an elderly family to live separately and still remain close to the main house. The guest house is a 775-square-foot home with two bedrooms and takes into account accessibility and movement for a mobility-impaired tenant. A courtyard space combines the indoors and outdoors, while also allowing for airflow for comfort.\nThe Shou Sugi Ban House was an extensive remodel and addition to a modern home in the Silicon Valley area, specifically the Los Gatos neighborhood. The exterior features traditional Shou Sugi Ban burnt wood siding. Natural textiles were important to the remodel aspect, while the addition resulted in a family room and an upper guest room. This home won awards for the bathroom remodel, as well as a list of features in several publications. As a result, SaA is an icon in contemporary Silicon Valley homes.

Silicon Valley often does not get enough credit for some of the commercial architecture, as the focus is mainly on renowned office spaces and infamous headquarters of the likes of Apple, Google, and Facebook. However, in both Silicon Valley and the surrounding areas, influential projects have contributed to the vibrant community that has made it a leader in innovation and creativity. These firms, while spread across the Bay Area, have turned their focus to more than tech, and considered how they can bring surrounding neighborhoods up, as well as make Silicon Valley a more accessible community.

About Studio G

Studio G is a San Jose-based architecture firm that was founded in 2007 by Kelly Simcox (principal architect), Glenn Bolich (senior architect), and Rick Yeh (principal designer). Studio G prides itself on combining “large firm quality and production” with “small firm attention to detail.” Studio G’s projects range from a number of commercial renovations to corporate and public spaces, including the Calabazas, Willow Glen, and Rose Garden libraries. Some of their big name commercial clients include Nissan, Hilton, Kawasaki, and Honda Research. Additionally, Studio G has created several medical facilities, such as Sadra Medical, The Health Trust, Action Urgent Care, Allergy & Asthma Associates, and the Northern California Retina Vitreous Associates.

Featured Projects

One of the reasons Studio G has made this list is precisely because it is a smaller firm that can pull off large projects. One of these projects includes Orchard Commons, a 313, 419 SF facility in San Jose, CA — completed in 2013. The project used cold-rolled steel, wood, stone juxtaposed with a tile that brought an updated look to the building. Another notable project is the Nissan site, which features a variety of spaces that enable Nissan to mix work and customer service in a way that brings transportation to the forefront of innovation. Studio G used simple elements, including carpet, paint, soffit, and furniture to completely transform the Sunnyvale space. The open work and waiting areas are bright, vibrant, and welcoming, making it a comfortable space for both customer and employee.

About Aedis

Aedis is the Latin term for domicile or sanctuary. The innovative architecture firm located in Silicon Valley dedicates itself to sustainable designs, with a focus on making an impact in the community. The firm was founded on the notion of diversity when it comes to experience and education, as well as culture and background. Aedis was founded in 1954 with an emphasis on the education sector — where they have built for every level, including day care centers, elementary schools, colleges, and universities. By focusing on educational institutions, Aedis has come to embody a true community-focused firm that has a passion for what they do and the people they work with. They believe in engagement and the ability to influence positive change.

Featured Projects

Aedis had the opportunity to live up to their philosophy when hired to update the cafeteria building at Fremont High School, which was originally built in 1951. However, with increased enrollment, the Fremont High school staff realized they were in need of more classroom space. The project was then changed to include the addition of 16 classrooms. The update maintained consistency with the rest of the campus, but made enough change to really impact student life. The added light makes the area a bit more energized and creates a richer environment for students to socialize and learn. Another project is the San Jose City College Fine Arts Center and Multidisciplinary Complex. The concept was a sustainable space and one of the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified buildings for the district. The project won the 2011 Public/Civic Project of the Year by the Silicon Valley Business Journal, as well as 1st place Design/Build with Blach Construction. The building is LEED Silver and includes a footprint-minimizing art wall that allows students to express their creativity.

About Rafael Viñoly Architects

Rafael Viñoly is an internationally recognized architect who hails from Uruguay, with a Diploma in Architecture from the University of Buenos Aires and a Master of Architecture from the School of Architecture and Urbanism. Vice President Jay Bargmann oversees the firm’s management and works in collaboration with the project directors. Viñoly is known for his works across the globe, including skyscrapers in New York and London. He has also designed numerous buildings for prestigious institutions, such as Stanford’s newest hospital, as well as buildings for Oxford, Princeton, Brown, and Duke. While Viñoly is a world-renowned architect, he’s made this list for one of his more recent and innovative projects in Silicon Valley.

Featured Projects

Transforming The Vallco Shopping Mall in Cupertino into The Hills at Vallco will be a vast project in which Viñoly, in partnership with OLIN Landscape Architects, will create a mixed-use development spanning 30 acres and made up mainly of green roof gardens. This project, if approved, will serve as both a community park and preserve that sits right between Apple’s One Infinite Loop and Apple 2 Campus. Given its sheer size and scope, it will be the largest green roof in the world. The project’s intent is to bridge the residential and the industrial, using walking trails, vineyards, an amphitheater, playgrounds, and native plants to attract wildlife. The space would be able to hold hundreds of apartments, additional office space, and a shopping center with a movie theater, bowling, an ice rink, and gym.

About WRNS

WRNS is clearly one of the best architecture firms, not only in the Bay Area but in the country as a whole. It was named the number one architecture firm in the US by Architect magazine and has also received the American Institute of Architects (AIA) COTE Top Ten Green Projects Award, in addition to several other AIA design awards. WRNS is on this list specifically for some of the commercial work they have done in and around the Bay Area and Silicon Valley. While their more notable projects might be more high-end corporate office spaces, there are some commercial projects that are worth a closer look and solidify their talent across a variety of projects. These commercial projects have heavily influenced and changed the communities in which they were built.

Featured Projects

Boeddeker Park was a team effort in conjunction with the City of San Francisco’s Recreation and Parks department. The previous iteration of the park was a closed off space with poor visibility due to safety concerns. The project posed unique problems, given that Boeddeker Park is located in the Tenderloin district, San Francisco’s densest neighborhood, where most residents live in extreme poverty. What resulted in the rebuild was an award winning site — receiving the AIASF Honor Award, as well as recognition as the 2016 Excellence in Structural Engineering Award Merit in “New Construction.” The design itself boosted activity and opened doors for projects and programs in partnership with the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, and other organizations. Boeddeker is the prime example for creating a space that truly brings people together.

About DES

DES is considered one of the top firms in the Bay Area across multiple industries, including healthcare, technology, and education. DES is a force of excellence, creativity, and efficiency. Their awards and accolades are many, including receiving the Grand Award and two Gold Nuggets from the 2015 PCBC conference. Most recently they were recognized at the 2017 Structures Awards for Design Tech High School, a public charter school at Oracle’s headquarters. At the helm of DES is Susan Eschweiler, a principal and Vice president. She is both architect and interior designer, bringing a unique set of talents to her projects and a passion for creating communities, such as building campuses and work environments. Craig Ivanovich, also a principal and vice president, has a talent for managing large, complex projects.

Featured Projects

The Cove in South San Francisco is a 20-acre, mixed-use campus containing nine structures. It offers a variety of amenities, including meeting areas, sports facilities, a hotel, and a vast retail center. This massive project incorporates landscaping and is LEED CS Silver targeted. The scope of the project led by DES is one that is hard to overlook. Upon completion, it could set new standards for Silicon Valley workspaces and focus a bit more on families and tourism. Another project worth mentioning is the Moffett Gateway Club in Sunnyvale. The facility was also built to bring activity and recreation to the corporate landscape. It contains a 15k-square-foot fitness center, a 30k-square-foot rooftop garden complete with fire pits and flexible seating areas, and is LEED NC Gold Target. The facility received a Gold Nugget Merit Award in the Special Use Category.

About Hawley Peterson Snyder

Hawley Peterson Snyder is a Sunnyvale-based architecture firm that has been in business for nearly 60 years. The firm values collaboration, trust, and face-to-face interactions. Their client list includes Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Stanford, and Princeton. Hawley Peterson Snyder is on the list for their strong core values and ability to build lasting personal relationships with their clients. Current principals Alan Turner and Henry Mahlstedt encourage ongoing education and mentoring of both their team and the surrounding community of designers. This includes a number of programs including the AIA Hard Hat Cafe and regular reviews, design discussions, and funded work-related conferences. HPS also fosters a commitment to sustainable design and construction as a certified Green Business.

Featured Projects

HPS has contributed a number of medical facilities that have helped the Silicon Valley area thrive as a community. One in particular is the award-winning Palo Alto Medical Foundation Mountain View Center, which was completed in 2007. The stunning facility includes a 250k-square-foot clinic with offices, exam rooms, and an urgent care center, as well as outpatient surgery, pharmacy, laboratory, and diagnostic radiology services. The facility received the 2007 AIA SF Chapter Integrated Practice Honor Award. More recently, in 2014, HPS completed construction on the Kaiser Permanente San Leandro Medical Center, in association with AECOM. The project won ENR Best Projects 2014 and featured a 464k-building-square-footage, including acute care and emergency services.

About Bohlin Cywinski Jackson

Bohlin Cywinski Jackson is an internationally recognized architect who boasts over 625 design awards, including awards for Green Projects, AIA Architecture Firm Award, and the AIA Gold Medal. Cywinski has always had a sensitivity to energy efficiency and environmentally conscious design. Today, it remains a central focus of the firm. Specifically, Cywinski emphases the ability to harvest the climate of a particular site and take into account the places where he can make the most of light, heat, wind, and land to create the most efficient structure. Across the US, Cywinski is behind the Blue Bottle stores in New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco; the Apple Store in Williamsburg; the Manetti Shrem Museum of Art in Davis, CA; and Expedia’s headquarters in Seattle.

Featured Projects

Cywinski built the Presidio Visitor Center in San Francisco, CA, turning a former military post into a cultural space that is inviting and engaging to visitors. The renovation included removing some alterations that had made the building a post office and a bank at previous times. Much of the building’s original features were restored in order to preserve the history and culture of the structure, which was originally meant to be a military prison. The Mountain Lake Park Playground is another project centered around community building and engagement. There are unique pathways and a concrete slide, and some original elements that have been kept in honor of the past. An observation platform that overlooks the area, a rock wall, and the entire shape and landscape of the park incorporates the area’s natural sand dunes, giving the entire space an undulating and playful atmosphere.

About SOM

Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill (SOM) is an international architecture firm founded in 1936. They are world renowned with a number of iconic buildings under their name. SOM has made the list as an award-winning firm that is the only practice to have won the Architecture Firm Award two separate times from the American Institute of Architects. While they have several offices around the world, their influence and contribution to Silicon Valley is significant. The San Francisco office is led by Design Director Javie Arizmendi and Managing Director Larry Chien. SOM’s vast range of projects span civic and government buildings, aviation and transportation, education, cultural centers, and commercial and office spaces. Their notable global contributions include the One World Trade Center completed in 2014, recipient of a long list of accolades and awards and a powerful statement in a nation rebuilding and recovering after great loss and hardship.

Featured Projects

SOM is behind the San Francisco International Airport, which was a $2.6B expansion that resulted in a truly iconic facility. In fact, it now shapes much of the identity of the City of San Francisco and the Bay Area. The form expresses a winged nature with ample skylights to bring in natural light. The interior contains a natural bamboo grove and other sustainable elements. The airport itself received a long list of honors, including awards of Excellence in structural engineering, graphic design, interior architecture, and landmark structure, and Best of Show at the 2000 AIA San Francisco Chapter. Additional Silicon Valley and Bay Area contributions include 350 Mission, described as an “urban living room,” and currently the Moscone Center expansion in partnership with Mark Cavagnero Associates, which will breathe new life into the convention center.

About Gensler

Gensler remains one of largest architecture firms in the world and continues to top Silicon Valley lists, and for good reason. They have contributed significantly to the advancement and improvement of the valley and deserve the recognition for their incredible work. Gensler dates back to 1965, founded by Art and Drue Gensler and their partner James Follett. Their projects span from Adobe, North First Street, and COG in San Jose, to Intel RNB and Pivot in Santa Clara and Intuit Cook Campus Center in Palo Alto. Gensler continues to lead year after year in interior design, healthcare, and top design firms and maintains their status as a forerunner in sustainable building design.

Featured Projects

Gensler beautifully renovated Terminal 2 of the San Francisco International Airport and truly encompasses the Bay Area culture and vibe. Terminal 2 accommodates 14 additional gates and aims to improve the passenger experience through reducing traveler stress, highlight art installations, and emphasize sustainability and comfort. The hotel-style seating areas and wide range of eateries provide guests with a memorable experience. Terminal 2 is actually the first LEED Gold-certified terminal in the United States, supporting goals of zero waste and a reduced carbon footprint. In 2012, it won the 4th Best Terminal in the World and the Top Terminal in the US. Another notable project is 826 Valencia Tenderloin Center, a mixed-use learning space that aims to assist under-resourced students. Located in the Tenderloin district, the retail space is a whimsical and encouraging space that includes eclectic doors and secret passages. Gensler partnered with several other groups to create the space and give the community a boost. The center won the 2017 Interior Award for Education.

About Pelli Clarke Pelli

Pelli Clarke Pelli is responsible for some of the world’s most recognizable buildings. These include the World Financial Center (New York), the Petronas Towers (Malaysia), and the International Finance Centre (Hong Kong). Pelli Clarke Pelli tops this list for the sweeping change they are bringing to Silicon Valley and for changing the way we view the area’s tech companies and workspaces. The firm has a long list of projects in their portfolio, including buildings in academia, museums, institutions, research centers, and government agencies. Like others on this list, they received the AIA Architect’s Firm Award, and in 1995, Cesar Pelli received the AIA Gold Medal.

Featured Projects

In a truly groundbreaking move, Pelli Clarke Pelli was hired to build the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco, making it the tallest building in the city and rivaling only the Golden Gate Bridge and the Transamerica building as the skyline’s defining features. Pelli Clarke Pelli won an international competition in order to design the tower, as well as the Salesforce Transit Center at the base. The structures will be an innovation in sustainable urban architecture. The skyscraper is 1,070-feet tall and is a slender, more simplified look. This marks a symbolic shift of tech giants moving from Silicon Valley into the city and redefining how they portray status. This move represents an entirely new notion of what analysts are now calling “vertical campuses,” and thinking up rather than spreading out.

Silicon Valley is home to some of the nation’s most influential and powerful CEOs, tech leaders, and entrepreneurs. As a result, this area is becoming a hub for some the most iconic homes in the country, so it isn’t surprising that there would be a demand for quality renovations, remodels, and custom-built homes. Let’s take a look at the top 10 design-build firms in Silicon Valley. Each firm was selected based on their quality of projects and service, prevalence in the Silicon Valley area, and established portfolio, including recognition and awards.

About SOD

SOD Builders, Inc. is a design-build firm located in San Jose that emphasizes an ability to simplify projects, provide professionals in every area needed for a project, and collaborate to deliver quality service. SOD is an award-winning firm that has earned Angie’s List Super Service Awards three years in a row. SOD takes pride in allowing their clients full access to schedules and a full online database, so they can have access to all the information and the project status to feel comfortable in the process, particularly with big projects. SOD consistently receives positive feedback and rave reviews, which is why they are on the top 10 for best design-build firms in the Silicon Valley area.

Featured Projects

SOD specializes in kitchen and bath remodels, exterior renovations, room- and second-story additions, and new home construction. As for kitchen remodels, SOD is happy to bring older kitchens up to date, like their project for a Los Altos home. The remodel features a beautiful sepia-toned kitchen that plays with wood textures and a mixture of glossy white cabinets to reflect lots of natural light. The furnishings are scaled back and simple for a clean, refined look and feel. The large island and updated seating area makes it perfect for the family and entertaining.

About CAGE Design Build

CAGE Design Build was started in 1996 by David Wampler and Kelly Funk. The San Jose firm serves the Silicon Valley area and offers residential design, remodeling, home additions, and more. With every project under one contract, and functioning as one team, CAGE is able to provide seamless services and an efficient process that delivers the client’s concept on time and on budget. CAGE has a great reputation and has been recognized for their professionalism, integrity, and quality. They maintain high standards every step of the way, beginning with initial consultations all the way to project completion. CAGE is committed to their clients, and they focus on bringing unique visions to life.

Featured Projects

One of their projects was a San Jose home remodel which posed its own unique challenges around added functionality in limited spaces while meeting requests about storage. To achieve these results, the bathroom was completely gutted for a more functional result, and walls were removed to open up the floorplan and give more space in the kitchen, dining room, and family room. A wine cabinet was added underneath the staircase, and the garage door was moved to create space for more cabinets and storage in the kitchen. Each element was thoroughly planned to take advantage of space and allow the home to reach its client’s vision. Details were added to refresh and update the home.

About Timeline Design

Timeline Design is located in Saratoga, CA, just south of Cupertino, and was established by Matthew Harrigan in 1990. Harrigan’s passion for quality and planning established Timeline Design as having a mission for every project to be “on time and on budget.” Timeline has been committed to providing timely results and communicating with their clients in order to build strong relationships. Timeline is truly a top-tier firm with a long list of awards to their name, including Meta awards from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). They were recognized as one of the “Big 50” by Remodeling Magazine in 2002 and were also named one of the Top 50 fastest growing privately held companies in Silicon Valley in 2005. Their work has been featured in Design/Build Business, Kitchen & Bath Business, Remodeling Magazine, Eichler News Network, and San Jose Magazine.

Featured Projects

Timeline is known for their remodels as well as for their custom homes. Their home projects range in style from breezy and simple to classic California Bungalow. The bungalow project featured low pitched roofs, eaves, and unenclosed rafters throughout the main part of the house. With shingle siding, cool green tones, and beige stucco, there is an organic look that plays well with wood and stone veneer. The structure smoothly merges into the yard and takes into consideration its surroundings. Even the simpler home designs are gorgeous, taking advantage of open-concept floor plans and gourmet kitchens with plenty of natural light. Light cabinets with marble create more openness, while the darker countertops, flooring, and island bring comfort and warmth for a timeless style and aesthetic.

About TBS Construction

TBS is a Bay Area firm that specializes in design-build projects, particularly residential custom homes, remodels, and even round-the-clock emergency services for extreme cases, such as disaster response, restoration, and reconstruction. They serve the Silicon Valley area and have received recognition from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). In addition to the construction firm, TBS has a design gallery that features the latest products and technology in the industry. The gallery acts as a creative hub for architects, designers, and builders, so clients can see their resources and products in person. For TBS Construction, a hands-on approach is key to quality service and to projects that meet the highest standards.

Featured Projects

A truly unique and notable project is the Los Gatos Historic Mansion restoration. TBS was hired to restore the English-style Sunnyridge Mansion. TBS worked hard to maintain the historic structure and the estate’s traditional beauty. They even expanded the stone work in the entryway in order to emphasize the welcoming atmosphere. From full-sized sauna additions to heated floors, TBS Construction is up-to-date on the latest and greatest when it comes to the remodel and construction industry. Some of their most recent projects include some beautiful kitchen work that means bringing a space up-to-date while keeping it functional. Window benches and added dining space allow the kitchen to be the heart of the home. Custom cabinets, durable windows, and quartz counter-tops create a sleek, high-end looking space that is also functional.

About Brownhouse Design

Brownhouse Design is dedicated to creating the best spaces that meet their clients’ specific lifestyles and tastes. Principal designer Julie Brown is behind the firm and has created a company that emphasize timeless designs, quality service, and long-term client relationships for the past 20 years. Brownhouse Design focuses on residential design-build projects, interior design, and confidentiality for potential high-profile clients. Brownhouse Design specializes in custom homes and renovations, particularly in traditional and contemporary styles that meet the tastes of those in the Los Altos, Palo Alto, and surrounding areas. However, their portfolio boasts a rich variety of styles, including European, eclectic, relaxed urban, sleek, formal, and Asian-inspired.

Featured Projects

A recent project completed just last year is a custom contemporary home in Los Altos Hills. It features a beautiful central courtyard with a multilevel pool complete with custom copper siding. The interior features an open-concept kitchen, nook, and family room. Waterfall edge details on the kitchen island and custom leather seating make the space warm, inviting, and eye-catching. There’s even an open concept bar that separates the formal dining area from the kitchen. Sliding doors open out to a covered porch, while plantation shutters allow for privacy. The living room features a seamless corner window with a view of the courtyard and pool. The halls and bedrooms play with texture, while the master has two full vanities with custom tile, high-gloss cabinets, and matte black sinks.

About Nerland Building & Restoration

Nerland Building & Restoration is a design-build firm founded by Alex Nerland more than 14 years ago. Alex has a unique perspective, as he worked in technology in Silicon Valley for 10 years before launching his firm. Alex’s wife, Lisa, is a co-designer and project manager and is a licensed California real estate broker.

Nerland was founded on the principle that design-build is the best approach to meeting your schedules, cost, and quality goals, because it eliminates conflicts between architects, designers, and contractors. Tailored solutions and overseeing the project from beginning to end are at the core of Nerland’s business.

Featured Projects

NBR has a knack for home restoration and recently updated and expanded a Lone Mountain residence from a two bedroom, one bath to a two bedroom, two bath with a brand new kitchen. They opened up the home and included a beautiful jewel box in the guest bathroom, with an inviting and elegant master bathroom. The emphasis and use of white brightens up the whole place and makes it feel energized. Another beautiful remodel was the transformation of a 10-year-old townhouse into a more modern, loft-type space. NBR installed a brick wall to completely change the look and feel, as well as a new backsplash in the kitchen, a new deck featuring an outside bar, and movie screen with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

About AT6 Design Build

AT6 Design Build is a well-known design firm in the Bay Area. They are process-oriented and focused on modern eclectic styles and aesthetics. On staff are principals like Jason Langkammerer, who is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited and Building Science Principles (BPI) certified, and has been with AT6 Design Build since 2002. AT6 Design Build has been recognized for their work in the media many times: they have been featured in Fine Homebuilding, Baan Lae Suan (A Thai shelter magazine), Small Eco Houses, 2011 American Institute of Architects (AIA) East Bay Home Tour, and California Home & Design Magazine, and they were honorees in the SF Architects Best Design-Build Firms. Additionally, they’ve been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle and Dwell Magazine and received AIA/LA Citation Awards. AT6 Design Build also emphasizes that their projects are energy efficient, green, and sustainable.

Featured Projects

A notable Bay Area project is the Berkeley Cube. This was a contemporary master suite and family room addition contained in its own structure and connected to the house by a short hallway. The solution made for a more efficient construction process and allowed for some variation between the original structure and new building. The project included an infrastructure for solar and cement board rain screen exterior cladding. The Church Street residence in San Francisco was a full renovation and addition to simplify and even erase the ornamentation of the original structure without losing a connection to its history. The spaces resulted in a cleaner, more modern look, which still kept much of the original architecture, like the wainscot and trim details.

About Building Lab

As we enter the top three of the list, Building Lab takes this spot as an award-winning design-build firm that not only has a passion for quality and green building practices, but is also on the cutting edge when it comes to solutions and projects that are still practical, sustainable, and meet client needs. Stephen Shoup, founder, started Building Lab in 2001, based on his belief in a holistic approach to the design and building process. He built his team to help bring his vision to life, and they received the Merit Award from Remodeling Magazine, Grand Prize from the REmmy Awards, and more. Their work and projects have been featured in such publications as Hunker, Dwell, Marin Independent Journal, Berkeley Times, and Home DSGN.

Featured Projects

The Appleberry Drive residence was a whole-house remodel driven by simplicity and clarity in order to honor the original design. The solution included such elements as a fence that defined the front courtyard and a large picture window in the dining room that drew attention from the street. The central focus on the kitchen allowed for a core to work off of. The entire project preserved and reinvigorated the eichler original design. A recent project is the Paseo Way residence, which was a whole-house renovation for a family of four. The open concept created an improved flow to the home and made for a more family-friendly living space. Partitions and cladding were taken out in order to free up space and emphasize the higher ceilings. With a white painted interior, the whole structure felt bigger and lighter. Accent walls helped to draw the eye and create movement. Added windows and glass sliders brought in more light, while interior additions like a breakfast nook, added storage, and a hidden desk add functionality and comfort.

About H2H Design Build

H2H Design Build is an award-winning firm with recognition from NARI, NKBA, CotY, and HGTV. They have laser focus when it comes to quality design solutions and remodeling services. Their ability to create a no-nonsense, thorough approach enables them to truly meet their client’s needs. They emphasize a turnkey process that makes them unique from other contractors and design-build firms. They want their clients to be taken care of and to not have to lift a finger when it comes to renovation. H2H believes in open communication and transparency. They have an up-to-date process that includes full technology integration of homes in a way that simplifies everything, allowing you to control all of your smart systems with one device. This includes everything from thermostat, audio, media systems, lighting, security, gate access, and more.

“With the understanding that Silicon Valley homeowners were too busy to add anything else to their daily to-do list, much less a remodel, we began in 2009 to build a company from scratch that would encompass a full-service approach to concurring the task. Starting only with my husband Matt as the general contractor and myself as the lead designer (backed with a fresh business sense) we conquered one remodel at a time as a 2 person team. We bootstrapped from the beginning, each remodel fueling the growth of the team and our abilities to take on larger projects. In only a short 8.5 years in business, we have managed to earn a total of 31 local and national awards for our work and continue to earn more. We are excited to be where we are and always work toward the next challenge.” -Angela Rasmussen

Featured Projects

H2H renovated a beautiful home in San Jose, and the project truly embodies rustic royalty. The kitchen features state-of-the-art, stainless steel appliances, including a spacious range in the center island, perfect for entertaining and multitasking. The wood floors in contrast with white walls and cabinets create a perfectly calm, rustic cottage feel, with plenty of counter space and storage. The kitchen opens up to a gorgeous sitting area complete with a fireplace and beautifully textured chairs. The dining room features a large window for tons of natural light. The entryway has a perfect farm-style door and leads into a comfortable family room that is warm, cozy, and inviting. The restrooms continue to carry the rustic feel, with deep earthtones and updated fixtures.

About Nova Designs and Builds

Nova Designs and Builds is spearheaded by Principal John Schrader, a licensed general contractor and certified green builder, and Principal Designer Fabien Lannoye. Nova believes in creating partnerships and joint ventures and pushes the boundaries even further by investing their own capital into a project. Nova prides itself as a firm that pursues a variety of projects while incorporating technique, materials, and pricing. Nova’s media mentions include SFGate and Elle Decor. SFGate calls John Schrader a “contemporary renaissance man,” as the firm is behind over 1,000 homes in San Francisco alone.

Featured Projects

Nova tops this list for their extraordinary renovations of luxury homes in San Francisco, most notably a house in Pacific Heights that is currently the most expensive home for sale in the city, starting at $22M — a four-story masterpiece. Additionally, Nova renovated a Pacific Heights townhome that featured a direct view of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. The remodel posed a number of challenges, including zoning and fire codes, but the full-glass doors that lead to a deck are worth everything, and that priceless view from the family room is measured in jaws dropped. Additional remodels, like 2807 Clay Street, showcase creativity in smaller spaces. Each remodel takes full advantage of the beautiful cityscapes and rooftop decks in order to capitalize on the location in one of the most expensive regions in which to live.

Silicon Valley is an area that may not be recognized for its innovative architecture, nor for its growing food and restaurant scene, but it should be. With the growing populations of families, staff at large tech companies, and surrounding suburbs — now more than ever, people are wanting to wine and dine across San Jose, Palo Alto, and other nearby neighborhoods. Restaurants are popping up that provide options for exotic tastes and designs that rival New York and Los Angeles. Take a look at the top 10 restaurant architecture firms in Silicon Valley.

About Eaton Hall Architecture

Eaton Hall Architecture was founded by Jeffrey Eaton and Chris Hall. Together they have more than 40 years of experience in architecture and design. As a firm, they value meeting the needs of their clients with their passion for intelligent, effective design solutions. Eaton previously owned and operated his own firm for 12 years before joining forces with Hall. Eaton’s work was focused on the private sector in commercial hospitality, and he now manages the design staff. Hall has a background that is more focused on public commercial, and he brings his skills in planning and design to the team. He is largely responsible for securing projects and maintaining client relations. The firm values thoughtful design and is willing to assist their clients through all aspects of planning, designing, and building, so they can create spaces that enhance the quality of life for those who use them. They have offices in both San Francisco and Silicon Valley and their projects span much of the Bay Area.

Featured Projects

Eaton Hall is behind Enoteca La Storia in Los Gatos, a highly rated Italian wine bar in Silicon Valley. The space is 4,500 square feet and features a warehouse atmosphere, with a long wall of shelving where a vast array of wines are featured and proudly displayed. Eaton Hall has also worked on Naschmarkt in Campbell — a truly unique experience in New Austrian cuisine. A larger commercial project includes the Blossom Hill Retail Center, a renovation of a space built in the 1950s and that now features dozens of retail shops and restaurants. Their newest venture is David Kinch’s latest concept, Bywater, a NOLA-inspired restaurant in Los Gatos.

About Delawie

Delawie may be headquartered in San Diego, but their work spans across California with projects expanding into Arizona and Hawaii. They are on this list for their work on the Silicon Valley Capital Club. Delawie was established in 1961 and has focused on a variety of design projects, including corporate, educational, civic, and government facilities. The firm is led by Principals Andrew Rodrigues, Paul Schroeder, Frank Ternasky, and Mike Asaro. As a firm, Delawie believes in holistic and collaborative design, valuing all parts of the design process and the seamless merging of all aspects of a project. Delawie is an award-winning firm, boasting titles from American Architecture Awards, Orchid Awards, and Citation for Excellence in Architecture Awards.

Featured Projects

The Silicon Valley Capital Club was a remodel project that required an intensive overhaul from reconfiguring the entryway to adding spaces and replacing furnishings. The club looks over Downtown San Jose, so an important element was to ensure that the view was optimized and that diners could take full advantage of the outdoor deck. The interior was completely updated so the Silicon Valley Capital Club would retain its reputation for being a premier business club in San Jose. If you ever visit, be sure to enjoy the 360-degree view from atop the building.

About Fink Architecture

Fink Architecture is responsible for some of Silicon Valley’s award-winning restaurants. Founded by Robert Fink, the firm was built on the concept of leaving the world better than we found it. Each project is treated with care and a sense of environmental responsibility, combined with a guided process and a desire to create environments that are warm and inviting. Fink’s work has been featured in California Home + Design, Eater SF, Western Interiors and Design, and Design for Living. Aside from restaurants, Fink is known for some beautiful residential projects in the Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Los Gatos neighborhoods, as well as wineries in Sonoma and Napa.

Featured Projects

Fink is behind the Brazilian-style churrasco Pampas in Palo Alto, which used the existing structure in a creative way with the installation of a mezzanine in the center of the restaurant, creating private dining below and a more communal space above. The brick walls serve as a backdrop against the side dining areas, which inspire a more intimate feel. The design, which is earthy and modern, reflects the Brazilian culture as well as the location. Calafia, the restaurant launched by Charlie Ayers, was a concept that originated at Google, which makes it a true Silicon Valley brainchild. The cafe, lounge, bar, market, and kitchen combination creates a retail space that is comfortable and caters to organic, locally provided ingredients. The restaurant even uses recycled, reclaimed, and repurposed materials where it can. The counters are “paperstone” and are made from recycled paper. Lamp shades are made of burlap sacks and there’s even a chandelier crafted from 766 milk bottles that hangs over a communal table made from reclaimed wood.

About Studio S Squared Architecture

Studio S Squared is a full-service architecture firm based in San Jose. They offer full disclosure and transparency around their process and project structures, so potential clients can have a better understanding of what it might be like to work with them. Studio S Squared takes the time to provide a detailed description of each phase of their work, how they work, what tools they use, and how the client is involved, which builds confidence into their firm.

Featured Projects

Studio S Squared brings charm and personality to the San Jose area with projects like Caffe Trieste. The cafe is located in an area up and coming as a theater and arts district, making Caffe Trieste a cozy- and homey-like atmosphere and design. The cafe and coffee shop is a true passion project, as the owner admits that owning a place like this has been a lifelong dream. The passion is undeniable when you walk into Caffe Trieste and see the heart and soul in both the design and details of the space. Additionally, Studio S Squared shows of their range of style with the Fahrenheit Ultra Lounge, a collaboration with a Texas-based interior design firm, Jones Baker. This upscale bar and lounge is located in downtown San Jose and has a swanky vibe, filled with rich textures and deep reds.

About TECTA

The San Francisco-based firm TECTA is on this list for their vast range of restaurant projects covering not only San Francisco but also Silicon Valley and the surrounding areas. They could not be left off of this list, because they have become known for their work specializing in restaurant and retail spaces. Some of their biggest clients include Starbucks, Pinkberry, and McDonald’s, as well as a long list of additional chains and eateries. TECTA prides themselves on their diverse team of the best and brightest designers and technicians, who provide big firm services and resources combined with the quick turnaround of a small firm. Principal Ahmad Mohazab started TECTA in 1985 and brings decades of architecture, interior design, and planning experience to the table. He is licensed in more than 30 states and holds a number of design and civic awards.

Featured Projects

TECTA is behind The Catamount in Los Gatos, a new restaurant that pays homage to the historic context of the area, referring to the indigenous mountain cats that once roamed the area. The Catamount is comfortable but upscale and embodies a social club vibe. With the combination of white space, wood, and leather seating areas, the restaurant creates a welcoming space that is made warm by the exposed light bulb fixtures. High windows and some brightly colored accents add light and energy. The Rootstock Wine Bar in Cupertino, CA is a project with a design that highlights the indoor outdoor atmosphere. The earth tones are inviting and casual. The eclectic lighting fixtures paired with the industrial stools and seating creates an intimate setting perfect for wine tasting and tapas with friends.

About BAR Architects

BAR Architects has been in business for over 40 years. They focus on inspiring spaces that resonate, and they have a reputation for design excellence. BAR Architects also prides itself on the ability to nurture client relationships and find tailored solutions for specific sites and projects. They emphasize their ability to listen to their clients, assess a project, and create an interactive process that is enjoyable for both them and their clients. BAR Architects was most recently recognized as Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) 2017 Top Design Firms and has received the Top Projects Award from the North Bay Business Journal, a Special Recognition Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Livable Buildings Awards and Outstanding Home Awards, and many more. Their projects span from residential to mixed-use spaces, including campus housing, wineries, resorts, and restaurants.

Featured Projects

Seven Restaurant in San Jose features a 108-seat space with tall windows and high ceilings to create a perfect atmosphere for dining in the daytime. There is an elevated bar and lounge area that allows for a space more attuned to nightlife. The entrance features a textured brick wall with an elliptical shape that makes for a striking first impression. One of BAR Architects’ exciting new endeavors is a project for the Los Gatos area. The plan is to create a mixed-use space with retail, luxury residential flats, and senior housing, all located around a central neighborhood street. The residential amenities will feature a concierge, a swimming pool, clubhouses, individual garages, and an underground parking structure. The market hall is designed to house quality food establishments, as well as become a hub for events like farmer’s markets and festivals, breathing new life and energy into the Los Gatos area.

About CCS Architecture

CCS Architecture is an internationally acclaimed firm with a number of successful restaurant projects, as well as residential, commercial, and mixed-use spaces. CCS is based in modernist tastes with a balance of creativity, innovation, and the use of quality materials and service. CCS was founded by Cass Calder Smith in 1990 and includes partners Barbara Vickroy, director of interior design, Melissa Werner, director of operations, and Taylor Lawson, associate principal. Notable awards include the AIA|LA Restaurant Award, Hospitality Design Award for Best Restaurant, Restaurant & Bar Awards, a Gold Key Award and Record Interiors for Best Restaurant, among others.They’ve been featured in Silicon Valley Magazine, Objekt, Elle Decor, Beach Architecture, Luxe San Francisco, Wallpaper, New York Spaces, Interior Design, Thrillist, and California Home + Design.

Featured Projects

CCS is behind a long list of SF and Bay Area eateries, including Nomica, Volta, Hog Island Oyster Co., Tap (415), Olympic Club, Terzo, Twenty Five Lusk, OneUp at the Grand Hyatt, Lamar Cebicheria, Rose Pistola, Lulu, The Plant Cafe, Perbacco, Barbacco, and Azie. Reposado in Palo Alto was intended to bring upscale Mexican cuisine to Palo Alto. The restaurant was originally a 1920s feed and grain warehouse with a cafe. The space now seats 180 between the main dining area and mezzanine. The restaurant itself sits in the heart of Palo Alto, on Hamilton Avenue. The big mahogany doors and stainless steel canopy make a statement upon entry. There are large windows that slide and open up to allow for an indoor-outdoor atmosphere. The mezzanine allows for private event space and has its own bar and skylights.

More recently, CCS Architecture completed the PAUSA Bar + Cookery in San Mateo. Located on 3rd street in historic downtown San Mateo the restaurant is a reinvention by the same owners of the old Spiedo. The large, open space was designed to evoke an Italian feel. The metal beams in the ceiling and metal light fixtures bring a modern sleek ambiance to the restaurant. In contrast, light wood tables and brown chairs warm up the space to create a welcome friendly environment. Sliding glass doors welcome the streets foot traffic into the restaurant for a drink or to stay for dinner. The marble bar has marvelous caged shelving with brass trim. The design is elegant and incredibly well lit. Large metal sheets frame the open kitchen and the entrance of PAUSA like a painting.

About Studio Ren

Studio Ren is led by Design Principal Brendan Canning and Managing Principal Cynthia Wang — out of Los Angeles, CA. Canning’s specialty is high-end residential, and he has a number of commercial projects under his belt coming from the Midwest. He is inspired by the likes of Mies van der Rohe, Minoru Yamasaki, and Frank Lloyd Wright. Cynthia has a strong background in managing projects across residential, retail, hospitality, office, and institutional spaces. While this firm is not based in the Bay Area or Silicon Valley, their recent work is making a splash in Palo Alto.

Featured Projects

Recently, a restaurant called Bird Dog took home the AIA award for 2016 Restaurant Design. This project, which is helping bring style and innovation to Palo Alto, did not come without challenges. Studio Ren dealt with a number of obstacles, one in particular being budget. When older buildings are renovated, oftentimes much of the budget can go to replacing the infrastructure. As a result, things like plumbing and leaky roofs must be dealt with before any of the design gets implemented. Studio Ren kept the details to simple materials, but in a way, limitations like these can work in a space’s favor, forcing a project to be edited. Bird Dog seems to be popping up in every major food publication and local news for the incredible experience it provides.

About Studio Terpeluk

Studio Terpeluk is a San Francisco-based firm that was founded by Brett Terpeluk. Terpeluk, who grew up in Pennsylvania, developed a strong appreciation for nature and history, and his passion for architecture earned him the Fossi traveling fellowship for outstanding student work. As a young architect in collaboration with Renzo Piano, Terpeluk helped with the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, the largest LEED Platinum museum in the world. Brett’s first restaurant project on his own was Farina — and it won Best Restaurant Design by AIA San Francisco. He may be a younger designer for the industry, but he is certainly one to watch, as his work is already breaking through the Silicon Valley and Bay Area scenes.

Featured Projects

Roots & Rye is the latest from Studio Terpeluk, and the modern, American comfort food eatery is already making waves as one of Silicon Valley’s best restaurants as of 2016. The restaurant features a laid back decor, comfortable sofas, fire pits, an open kitchen, and a chef’s table. The restaurant is located at Santana Row, a popular shopping center in San Jose. Farina was formerly a mid-century cookie factory in the Mission District of San Francisco. Terpeluk’s solution featured simple materials and keeping the space’s centerpiece — the food preparation counter that split the space into smaller, more intimate dining zones. The curved windows made for a beautiful backdrop for the ample sidewalk seating area. With an established portfolio like this one, it’s easy to see that Studio Terpeluk is making its name as a game changer in the Silicon Valley dining scene.

About Arcsine

Arcsine is a firm focused on method, aesthetic, and client care. They tend to work mainly within the hospitality, workplace, and restaurant industries. The firm is led by Principals Daniel Scovill and Adam Winig, who both strive to create a positive experience for their clients, from the concept and design to the realization of the client’s goals. Adam Winig began at Gensler and Brayton Hughes Design Studio. He’s been a partner at Arcsine since 2006 and has worked on projects like the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. Daniel Scovill founded Arcine in 2003, wanting to establish a firm built on collaboration and innovation. His previous experience is with large commercial projects, also at one point with Gensler. Arcsine tops the list for the number of hot, trending restaurants they have contributed to the Silicon Valley and Bay Area.

Featured Projects

The Blue Door is located in San Jose and the owner aims to have his contemporary Greek evoke the his favorite resorts in Southern Greece. The Blue Door sits among a few chain restaurants, but what it offers is a more sophisticated option that could serve both suburban families and the Silicon Valley crowd. American meets Mediterranean here, and the Blue Door menu shows it with both meatloaf and mac and cheese on the menu. Arcsine created a layout that seats 194 diners with an additional 84 seats on the patio. The white exterior of the restaurant is reminiscent of the beautiful buildings of Santorini, while the darker painted woods inside keep the atmosphere feeling warm and comfortable. Neutral tones bring out a more contemporary feel. The restaurant space features a large bar with stone backsplash, lit display shelving, and furniture that reminds patrons of home.

Silicon Valley is home to some of the largest tech giants in the world and holds true powerhouses of innovation, creativity, and progress. Along with these company names are some of the world’s most recognizable and desired workspaces. The work scene here is booming and has a reputation for offices that are over the top, truly innovative, and extremely high end. Being home to such high profile companies, Silicon Valley often draws the top architects from around the world to work on these projects. The offices themselves have become synonymous for progressive company culture, outlandish perks, and the ultimate examples of productivity and collaboration. From Google’s nap pods to Steve Jobs’ dream for Apple Park, below you’ll find a top 10 list of the best office architects behind the biggest names in technology today.

About DES

DES, after being in business over 40 years, has solidified itself as one of the top firms in the Bay Area. Covering multiple industries including healthcare, technology, and education, DES is a force of excellence, creativity, and efficiency. As a firm, DES is award-winning, receiving the Grand Award and two Gold Nuggets from the 2015 PCBC (Pacific Coast Builder) conference. Most recently, they were recognized at the 2017 Structures Awards for Design Tech High School, a public charter school at Oracle’s headquarters. At the helm of DES is Susan Eschweiler, a principal and the firm’s vice president. She is both architect and interior designer, bringing a unique set of talents to her projects and a passion for creating communities, such as building campuses and work environments. Craig Ivanovich, also a principal and vice president, has a talent for managing large, complex projects.

Featured Projects

One of DES’s most notable projects within the Silicon Valley community might be GoDaddy. A company as audacious and bold as GoDaddy is completely deserving of a headquarters to match its style and personality. The campus contains a large number of outdoor materials, giving GoDaddy a playful, lively feel. To get a notion of the pace and energy at the site, the hallways are literal racetracks, complete with go-karts that employees can pedal from one end of the building to the other. Everything at GoDaddy seems to say activity. There is movement within the layout and open spaces, as well as the furnishings, which feature things like adjustable desks and movable seating pods. The design creates a natural flow between work and play, as well as an environment that thrives on inspiration and creation.

About DGA

DGA is another major player in the realm of Silicon Valley architecture. With locations also in San Francisco, Sacramento, and San Diego, DGA has been recognized for their leading designs of facilities related to life sciences, technology, healthcare, and education. Their central focus and philosophy is around uniting design and technology for high-quality projects. Randall Dowler is the president of DGA, as well as the managing principal at DGA Silicon Valley. Fun fact: DGA’s own office in San Diego is currently in the spotlight as an Orchid nominee from the San Diego Architectural Foundation’s Orchids and Onions.

Featured Projects

One of DGA’s major strengths is lab facilities. They are behind Lockheed Martin’s R&D building in Palo Alto, HGST R&D building in San Jose, and the Gilead lab building in Foster City. While they might sound small, these lab facilities are anything but small projects. The Gilead building is a four-story, 190k-square-foot lab in Vintage Park. DGA was also instrumental in the expansion of the data storage company HGST, Inc. While HGST was a longstanding company in the San Jose area, they were in need of new facilities to adapt to their growth and the updated business. Even with the R&D building, DGA was part of the changing landscape of Silicon Valley architecture in an effort to focus more on vertical structures.

About NBBJ

As we move down the list, we enter the realm of some internationally recognized firms and architects. In this case, NBBJ has an office in San Francisco, but also in nine other locations across the globe, including Beijing, London, New York, and Shanghai. As a multidisciplinary and global firm, NBBJ is not only known around the world, but has also received the accolades to show it. From healthcare design, urban planning and landscaping, NBBJ’s list of awards and honors seems to only grow year after year. Though we’re focusing on Silicon Valley, it should be noted that NBBJ is also working with Alibaba, one of the largest internet companies (located in China).

Featured Projects

NBBJ earns their spot on the list for their award-winning project in Silicon Valley, Samsung’s headquarters. The behemoth campus stands at 10 stories, with a white metal, glass, and terracotta exterior. The structure’s unique form would catch anyone’s eye, and luckily some of the facilities are rumored to be open to the public. The campus design gives Samsung the ability to make a strong statement about their brand and make a powerful impact on efficiency and sustainability. The building was designed to reduce solar heat gain, which, as a result, reduces energy costs. There is a large courtyard and an amount of greenery that is rare for a high-rise workspace like this one. The facility recently received the Award of Merit from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Los Angeles, as well as an IDEAS award from the American Institute of Steel Construction.

About Frank Gehry

Frank Gehry is no doubt a living legend when it comes to American architecture. Vanity Fair called him “the most important architect of our age.” Notable buildings include the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Vitra Design Museum in Germany, Millennium Park in Chicago, Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, and, maybe most famously, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. The Guggenheim Museum has since become a tourist attraction and spawned terms like “the Bilbao effect,” in reference to building a cultural institution in your city that will put it ‘on the map,’ so to speak, in way that boosts tourism, investment, and overall energy and vibrance.

Featured Projects

While Gehry resides in Santa Monica, his work spans the globe and in this case brings him to Silicon Valley. His reputation and talent brought him to the valley for none other than the Silicon Valley titan, Facebook. When Zuckerberg and the Facebook employees moved into their new headquarters in 2015, the 40k-square-meter building was considered “the largest open floor plan in the world.” Gehry designed the building so that 2,800 employees would essentially share one room. The vastly open plan is meant to create space for engineers to collaborate. The interior features custom art pieces by local artists, as well as a rooftop park, a walking trail, and over 400 trees. Gehry was later asked to design the Facebook offices in London and Dublin.

About Foster + Partners

Foster + Partners is a global studio founded by Norman Foster in 1967. With sustainability at the center of everything they do, Foster + Partners is known for upholding global environmental standards and holistic design. Norman Foster, owner and chairman, is a renowned British architect whose accolades include the Pritzker Architecture Prize (1999) – considered the Nobel Prize of architecture, the AIA Gold Medal (1994), and the Prince of Asturias Award in the Arts category (2009).

Featured Projects

The Apple Park project has been nearly eight years in the making, beginning with Steve Jobs asking Norman Foster to design Apple’s headquarters. In April of 2017, the concept has finally come to fruition. The tech giant, and one of the founding companies of Silicon Valley itself, has been at the center of some heated conversations about their new facility. Wired, a technology magazine, has openly bashed the building, citing that the project does not consider the city of Cupertino, going as far to say that the campus simply “sucks.” Given that this project is at the center of debate, the firm and the project sit in the middle of this list. Adam Rogers, author of the Wired article, makes the point that the circular structure of the building leaves no room for change or expansion for Apple, in a space where adaptability has been central in the past to Silicon Valley’s successes.

About HOK

HOK is an American architecture firm originally named after its three founders, George Hellmuth, Gyo Obata, and George Kassabaum. They established the firm in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1955. Since then, HOK has become a global presence with 1,700 employees and 23 offices on three continents. HOK prides itself on its mission for exceptional design blended with human need, environmental awareness, value, science, and art. Since their beginning, HOK has been a thought-leader in architecture by introducing software solutions that have advanced architectural design, as well as implementing new and streamlined processes into their business. In 2012, HOK was ranked the number one design firm for technology expertise. They continue to lead in sustainable design and have even written a guidebook on the matter. In 2010, HOK completed Net Zero Court, a zero-emissions commercial office building located in St. Louis.

Featured Projects

While HOK may have been founded in Missouri, the firm still has early roots in Silicon Valley architecture. One of their earlier projects was Xerox PARC in Palo Alto in 1970, and then Apple’s R&D campus in 1993. However, more recently, HOK has taken on a project that Silicon Valley Business Journal has deemed “one of the more interesting office projects ever proposed in Silicon Valley.” The office project is the Central & Wolfe Campus — a futuristic office space featuring an open plaza, public art, a 500-person amphitheater, a dining terrace, and outdoor pavilions. Additionally, HOK has been behind some other amazing Silicon Valley projects, including the Gunderson Dettmer Headquarters, a law firm in Menlo Park; and Autodesk in downtown San Francisco.

About BIG

BIG is not a Silicon Valley- or Bay Area-based firm, and yet they’ve made number three on the list — namely for the huge project they are undertaking in Silicon Valley. BIG is a firm with its roots in Copenhagen, New York, and London, but they have projects throughout Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East. BIG is a collective of architects, designers, and builders who have a contemporary focus that balances pragmatism and utopia. Behind BIG is Bjarke Ingels, its founding partner. Ingels has become known for his ability to create and design buildings that are as innovative as they are cost and resource conscious. He was named Innovator of the Year by the Wall Street Journal, received the Danish Crown Prince’s Culture Prize in 2011, and, in 2016, was even named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Featured Projects

BIG is joining forces with Heatherwick Studio to take on Google’s new headquarters in Mountain View, marking the first time Google is building their office complex from the ground up. The design will include lightweight structures, enabling flexibility as the company changes and invests in various areas of the business. One of the unique features will be translucent canopies that will hover over buildings and outdoor areas, providing climate control while still allowing natural light and ventilation throughout. The look and feel in the renderings is inspiring and futuristic to say the least. The new campus will take advantage of the environment and natural surroundings, even including owl habitats and creek beds. With the project, BIG, as well as Heatherwick, understands the need to help Google become a true neighborhood that serves the community of Mountain View.

About WRNS

In 2013, WRNS was named the number one architecture firm in the US by Architect magazine. Firms were evaluated by a panel of judges and ranked in three categories: business, sustainability, and design excellence. WRNS Studio has a diverse and wildly impressive portfolio, which is even more impressive given they were only a 60-person firm at the time of recognition. Their projects now range from the Hayes Valley Playground in San Francisco to the Tahoe City Transit Center, as well as the corporate campus for Adobe in Utah. WRNS recently received the AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) Top Ten Green Projects Award, in addition to several other AIA design awards. WRNS solidifies its place in the top of the list as they continue work with institutions like Stanford, Airbnb, Adobe, and Microsoft.

Featured Projects

A notable player that WRNS has worked with is Airbnb. WRNS was brought in to help the company expand their headquarters in San Francisco. They needed a space that could continue to grow with them as they scale, and meet their employees need to choose how and where they work. Flexibility, collaboration, good acoustics, and multifunction furnishings were central to the Airbnb campus. In 2014, WRNS joined interior designers Clive Wilkinson Architects to expand Intuit’s offices in Mountain View, CA. The design was intended to be human centered and more sustainable. Intuit really wanted to honor their employees and support their company mission, and WRNS helped them bring that to life. The facility features outdoor terraces, atriums, cafes, bicycle parking, showers, and recreation.

About Gensler

Gensler is the largest architecture firm in the world. It was founded in 1965 by Art and Drue Gensler, with their partner James Follett. They are number one on this list not only for that, but because of the sheer number of offices they have built in Silicon Valley. Their projects span from Adobe, North First Street, and COG in San Jose; to Intel RNB and Pivot in Santa Clara; and Intuit Cook Campus Center in Palo Alto. Finally, Gensler continues to lead year after year in interior design, healthcare, and top design firms, and they maintain their status as a forerunner in sustainable building design.

Featured Projects

Just this year, Gensler broke barriers using VR as a core technology to help them build the new headquarters for NVIDIA in Santa Clara, CA. The structure has been in construction for almost a decade and is being led by Hao Ko, principal and design director at Gensler. From a bird’s eye view, the building seems to almost represent a microchip, and thanks to NVIDIA’s technology, they helped develop the virtual reality aspects of the design process. This allowed designers to create renderings in a short amount of time and easily create realistic simulations that could even capture light intensity. NVIDIA and Gensler are paving the way for the future of architecture and design.

While some firms are full service and will both build and design your home or commercial space, there are a lot of talented firms that specialize in interior design, so your home can have the look and feel that fits your taste and lifestyle. A number of Silicon Valley’s best designs are collaborations with architects and contractors and range in style from contemporary to Mid-century and traditional — whether they are private homes tucked away in forests or remodeled Eichler

About Hadley House Interiors

Hadley House is an interior design service whose work ranges from smaller residential projects to commercial arenas. Hadley House values honesty, creativity, and a positive attitude. They work and collaborate with a number of architectural firms, general contractors, and engineers, but are open to full-service projects as well. As a company, their goals are to provide spaces that are safe, reflect the client’s style and personality, and are functional and efficient. Hadley House works to provide the right solutions for their clients and feel it is important to know the client’s lifestyle and unique needs. They prefer to meet in person and discuss style ideas, reference photos, and gather the details that will indicate what you are looking for. Services include color consultations, kitchen and bath remodels, designing and commissioning custom pieces, and selecting furniture, textiles, cabinetry, art, and lighting.

Featured Projects

Hadley House revamped a guest house in the Los Altos Hills area. The project was to rejuvenate a space that had not been used for a number of years. As a result, the space needed walls removed, new electrical and plumbing, new windows, and a reconfiguration of the entire space. The traditional-style guest home was brought to life with colorful accents and was given personality with hanging light fixtures complemented by clean, wood flooring and sleek cabinets and countertops. A commercial project in the Silicon Valley area featured the remodel of a cafe in Palo Alto. The Sprout Cafe needed an overhaul and a new look to match their brand. The space had an entirely new floor plan, complete with furniture and color consults, and custom wood and metal work, as well as custom graffiti and artwork. Overall, the space was renewed and refreshed with a more industrial, urban style that still has a bright and inviting atmosphere.

About Ambiance Interiors

Ambiance Interiors was founded by Heidi Menard, who works across both residential and commercial projects. She has extensive experience in new construction and remodeling. Menard’s work is now focused on the Bay Area, but she also has a number of projects in Connecticut, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Oregon. Ambiance offers design services that are tailored to their clients tastes, lifestyle, and budget. Services include residential interior design, commercial design, and remodeling consultation. Ambiance manages all of their projects with a close eye and follows it through to the final touches. They tackle problems of all sizes, whether a minor project or an entire home.

Featured Projects

A unique project was a Menlo Park home that needed a design to fit clients who traveled all over the world and have acquired collections and items from their trips. One of the unique features of the home was a framed collection of antique sword guards that was mounted over the fireplace. The Los Altos Home remodel was a 1950s ranch that was bought during the housing boom in 2013. As a result, the client had purchased the home as is and had not looked into much inspection. Upon moving in, they quickly realized that the home needed a lot of repair. Ambiance Interiors helped the homeowners realize their true vision for their dream house. A master bathroom was added with gorgeous detail, including Calcutta marble and mirrored cabinets. The kitchen was expanded and even the ceiling was raised and includes skylights and windows.

About Kanika Design

Kanika Design is an award-winning interior design firm. They specialize in both residential and commercial interior design projects and pride themselves on quality service and design. The firm was founded in 2008 in the Bay Area with a modern and contemporary focus. Bold colors are a central aspect of the Kanika aesthetic, and it shows in both their residential and commercial projects, which include clients like Friendster, Taulia, and Edmodo. Kanika Design provides the following services: remodeling, color consultation, short design consultation, full design consultation, bathroom and kitchen design, space planning, and more. Some of the most vibrant and playful designs are features in Kanika Design’s children’s rooms and nurseries. They often feature bright splashes of color, fun themes, and whimsical decor that can grow and evolve with the child.

Featured Projects

Kanika Design completed a beautiful renovation of an outdoor space for a home in Palo Alto. The space features an eclectic combination of Asian and nautical elements to create a fun and engaging area that is perfect for lounging and entertaining. The vibrant textures and blue hues make for a calming and relaxing atmosphere that provides a nice change of pace from the normal hustle and bustle of the Silicon Valley culture. An additional project was a kitchen remodel for a home in Menlo Park, featuring intricate detail that creates a lively environment. The tile detail and upgraded appliances bring the kitchen to life and reimagines a space that a master chef would envy. The multi-use kitchen even creatively incorporates the washer/dryer, while adding a generous amount of counter space.

About Arch Studio

Founded by Robin McCarthy in 2004, Arch Studio is a full-service design studio that specializes in custom residential architecture. From brand new custom homes to a remodel, Arch Studio provides design, material selection, drawings, and details that will translate a space. Services that Arch Studio provides are schematic design, strategic planning, design development, design review, permitting, construction documents, big selection, and more. Arch Studio makes this list for their vast number of projects that span the Silicon Valley area, including in neighborhoods like Menlo Park, Mountain View, and Willow Glen.

Featured Projects

A notable project from Arch Studio is the West Menlo Park Shingle, a custom, 3,500-square-foot home in Menlo Park. The structure was a Cape Cod-style design featuring an open floor plan that was designed for family living and entertaining. A gourmet kitchen was installed with Mont Blanc quartzite countertops, a center island, and stainless steel appliances. There is a gas-burning fireplace with built-in cabinets and bookshelves in the family room. A Dolby surround sound home theater creates a perfect atmosphere for a movie night. The vaulted ceilings and big windows and skylights allow the home to be filled with light. Another Menlo Park project features a New Dutch Gambrel, a home inspired by the South Hamptons. The front features a Dutch Colonial exterior, which establishes a prominent presence among some of the tall redwoods in the front.

About Spectrum Interior Design

Spectrum Interior Design is an award-winning firm with over 20 years of high-end interior design and construction experience. The firm prides itself on the ability to design spaces that are warm, luxurious, and inviting, all while giving clients peace of mind that the firm will handle every step of the process from blueprints to the final finishing touches. Spectrum Interior Design is inspired by the California landscape when it comes to their color palettes and rich textiles. Their approach features a fresh look blended with classic design that creates timeless, elegant interiors. In 2016, the firm was the Gold Winner of the Gentry Home Design Excellence Awards. Their work has been featured in Architectural Digest, South Bay Accent, Luxury Home Magazine, and a number of editorial journals.

Featured Projects

Spectrum Interior Design worked on a gorgeous Los Altos home with a traditional elegance that maintained a warm and comfortable atmosphere. It features a luxury fireplace in a lush living room, an open kitchen with a substantial island for cooking and entertaining, and beautiful custom cabinetry. There is a cigar room that features rich leather chairs with dark curtains and intricate wallpaper, and a dining room that takes advantage of the natural light with high windows. And, to top it off, the home features its own wine cellar with a glass-enclosed storage area and tasting area. In another home in Los Altos Hills, the project took a more rustic look and feel. The stone exterior makes the home feel like an inviting cottage nestled in the woods. Large windows allow for a welcoming environment. The expansive kitchen features exposed wood beams and blend nicely with the rustic cabinets and wood flooring. Multiple fireplaces emphasize warmth, while the varying textures and tiles in the bathrooms create rich detail.

About JKA Design

John K. Anderson is a San Francisco interior designer with a combination of classic and modern tastes. He has over 25 years of experience and works on projects that include residential, commercial, and hospitality. He values his ability to balance styles, such as contemporary, Mid-century, and traditional, and to create interiors that are fresh, exciting, and enduring. Anderson is a both a leader and collaborator and founded JKA Design in 2005 after working with prominent designers in the industry. The studio has been featured in Marie Claire, the Wall Street Journal, and California Home and Design.

Featured Projects

The Presidio Heights Residence features an Italian-style home that was originally built in 1923. At that time, it belonged to Henry Zellerbach of the Zellerbach Paper Company. The 2010 remodel by JKA Design featured a complete reconfiguration of the basement and upper levels. As a result, the house has a beautiful, custom, curved staircase with a modern railing. There’s a view of the Golden Gate Bridge from the new family room/kitchen, framed by a curved glass bay window. The Twin Peaks residence started out with a dated looking feel from the ‘80s. The space had parts that were completely rebuilt, with an added library and a bar cabinet complete with storage and refrigerator. The master bath was moved in order to get better light. The whole renovation created a fresh update, with vintage European and Mid-century lighting to tie it all together.

About Pennington Studios

Pamela Pennington Studios is a Palo Alto-based interior design firm that has been around since 1975, serving key areas of Silicon Valley, including Palo Alto, Los Altos, Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, and more. Principal and founder Pamela Pennington is known for her attention to detail and expertise in lighting design and custom cabinetry. Pennington Studios prides itself on lasting relationships with clients that often results in repeat business. Pennington Studio has been recognized through numerous awards including Cosentino’s Bath of the Year and four American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Gold Awards. The studio generally has a contemporary style, and they love to incorporate true craftsmanship and sustainability into their work. As a team, PPS strives to emphasize their philosophy that form follows function.

“I draw inspiration from the same things that have always inspired me. Seeing something beautiful that is original, exciting and fresh in architecture, design, media, and fashion. They all have meaning to me and seeing the creativity behind new ideas gets my juices flowing.” – Pamela Pennington

Featured Projects

One of Pamela Pennington Studios’ most gorgeous projects is a bathroom remodel in a Menlo Park home. This 2016 ASID Gold Winner embodies what it means to be a peaceful and serene sanctuary. The light earthy colors balanced between the natural light and mirrors allow for a truly spectacular space. It is made even more impressive by heavily textured walls and fixtures that create movement and flow. Another notable project is a the clean and simplistic bathroom of a Palo Alto home, also an ASID Gold Winner. This project takes a different approach — its draw is the toned down, minimalist aesthetic. Wood panels and stark white countertops make up most of the space, with minimal details, including simple fixtures and handles. The shower is a simple glass structure and is optimized by customized cabinetry that seamlessly blends into the wall.

“I have never done anything else but interior design for the last 45 years. Sometimes we are just programmed from birth to be drawn to certain careers. I was delighted when I entered college to find I could get a 4-year degree in interior design. It was meant to be.” – Pamela Pennington

About Sullivan Design Studio

Sullivan Design Studio is an award-winning firm founded by Linda Sullivan. Linda brings more than 25 years of experience to the firm and has become known for her personal approach. She has even been referred to as “the client whisperer.” She values taking the time to listen and understand her client, which allows her to accurately customize solutions for their unique needs. The firm has been featured in number of publications, including Gentry Home, Grail, the Huffington Post, Silicon Valley Magazine, California Home and Design, and PopSugar. Sullivan Design has been recognized by ASID, receiving Gold awards for their designs across residential, corporate, and healthcare spaces since 2010. They received three Gentry Home Design awards in 2016.

Featured Projects

One recent project features a beautiful, modern home in Atherton. The clients are a busy Silicon Valley family who needed to come home to a serene and soothing environment. The color palette features soft shades of gray and creates a neutral setting, enabling things like the garden view to be a central focus. The indoor-outdoor setting is achieved with fully open sliding glass doors that bring the poolside right up to the family room. Another Silicon Valley home was a more zen project for the homeowners. The Eastern influence featured limestone floors, creating an outdoor space leading up to a Buddha fountain, which was once owned by Sharon Stone. There are plenty of contrasts, from the fireplace and pool to the custom cabinetry — the decor joins the elements of water, air, earth, and fire, creating a harmonious home.

About Urbanism Designs

Urbanism Designs might be one of the list’s most unique firms, but given that this is Silicon Valley, the story may not be surprising. Urbanism Designs was founded by Pamela Lin, who got her start after designing her own home. A former Googler, Lin was approached by family and friends who loved her home, and they hired her to work on theirs. Lin found a new passion and left her job to start her own firm. Since starting her company, Lin’s work has been featured in Dwell, HGTV, and Design Milk. Urbanism Designs works in almost any style, including Mid-century, industrial, rustic, and contemporary. The firm values a home’s ability to feature creativity and personality — their goal is to never be boring.

Featured Projects

The Mountain View Whimsy Apartment was a project to help a client who moved from out of the country. The goal was to turn a rental apartment into something they could call their own. They worked on a short timeline to complete the project, and the result is a fun, inviting atmosphere that makes a temporary space feel like home. The living room had only a sofa but was brought to life by decorative pillows, a coffee table, a vibrant rug, and some additional seating and artwork to brighten things up. A San Jose Eichler in the Fairhaven community got a full remodel from Urbanism Designs. The new kitchen created more space and added more functionality. This project was truly a collaboration with the client, as Urbanism Designs provided an initial design as well as material selection, and then allowed the client to run with it and have a result that reflected their personal aesthetics and lifestyle.

About Niche Interiors

Niche Interiors has accumulated growing list of ASID awards, including Silver Awards in 2015 and 2017 and a Gold Award in 2017 for best single room in the private domain. Niche is also on the Gold List of Luxe Interiors + Design 2017. Their designs have been featured Luxe Magazine, Food & Wine, the San Francisco Chronicle, Icon, Refined Home, and more. Niche Interiors specializes in high-end residential projects in the Bay Area. The firm prides itself on simplifying the process of home design and being efficient and transparent with their work. Rue Magazine named principal designer and founder Jennifer Jones as the “Designer to Watch.”

Featured Projects

Niche Interiors designed a Palo Alto home for a young couple who were expecting a baby. The clients were in need of a space that could grow with their family and provide a calm atmosphere. Given a new baby, the clients were particularly concerned about anything that might contain harmful chemicals. The furniture selections featured a mix of custom-designed pieces with non-toxic upholstery and natural fabrics. A light and airy palette of greys and ivory blended beautifully with natural wood and textured rugs throughout the home. The Burlingame home was designed for a family on the go who loved to entertain and had a sophisticated style. An upholstered bench and geometric runner brought a lively edge to the foyer. The dining room featured a custom, curved banquette to provide unique space for eating and even just for doing homework in the kitchen.

This website has looked at the work of the Bay Area’s top residential architects in California’s Wine Country, most prestigious residential architects, and best interior designers. To make the beautiful designs by these architects a reality, it requires skilled and dedicated general contractors. Throughout Sonoma, there are stunning homes, whether on a hilltop in Healdsburg, the edge of a vineyard in Sonoma, or on a sprawling ranch in Sebastopol. The builders behind these high-end residences are masters at working with varied materials, overcoming challenging worksites, and implementing difficult and innovative designs. And with a climate ideal for indoor/outdoor living, these companies know how to blur the line between the home’s interior and the nature surrounding it.

About Kirby Construction Company

Kirby Construction Company of Santa Rosa has been building high-quality homes throughout California’s wine country and Marin since 2003. The highly respected firm, which also works on commercial projects, has earned a reputation for their safety, quality, and high-value work. The award-winning company has established relationships with the area’s architects, engineers, building officials, and subcontractors. The company has earned multiple Gold Medals from Northbay Biz’s “Best” reader’s polls. Their work has been recognized with numerous publications and awards, including an AIA Redwood Empire People’s Choice Award. Kirby Construction was founded in 2003 by York, who has over 30 years of experience in various areas of construction, from carpentry, job supervision, and project management to operating a growing construction company. He has gained hands-on building experience on everything from biomedical labs, clean rooms, ground up commercial buildings, tenant improvement, and facility upgrades, to historical restorations, municipal projects, wineries, and custom homes. These unique experiences help him successfully manage all levels of projects.

Featured Projects

Kirby Construction extensively renovated a unique Sonoma County estate. The homeowners invited the company to remodel the entire interior of a guest house and bath, the main home’s master bedroom, media room, and 2 additional bedrooms. This project also included the replacement of the majority of the gorgeous home’s windows and doors and a massive outdoor wooden deck. Kirby Construction worked closely with the owners, landscape contractor, and architects to complete this project efficiently and exactly as envisioned. And in Kenwood, the company was trusted to renovate a contemporary and eclectic architecturally designed home and guest house originally designed in the 1990s by a renowned architectural firm in the East Bay. Once work began on this project, the construction company revealed that the structure was largely damaged by dry rot and possibly termites. Their scope of work expanded to exposing the building down to its framing and replacing what was compromised. The building now has new standing seam metal siding on three sides and redwood siding on the fourth. All the framing and sheathing were treated to avoid any future issues. And in the Stags’ Leap region of Napa Valley, the company built a new private residence with a farmhouse aesthetic and 4,300 square feet of living space. They incorporated various reclaimed wood products such as beams, interior doors, fireplace mantel, and furniture pieces. Kirby Construction Company’s team demolished an existing home on this site to make room for this dream home with an expansive pool.

About Landmark Builders

Landmark Builders have been a trusted general contracting company for high-end projects since 1985. The company is known for excellent craftsmanship, expert project management, and unparalleled customer service. Landmark is a firmly established and highly reputable company that has worked on some of the most beautiful residential properties in Napa and Sonoma. The multi-faceted construction company has experience and a close understanding of all types of construction, both renovations and new, on residential homes and office buildings, as well as restaurants, nightclubs, and light industrial work. Serving Marin, San Francisco, Napa, and Sonoma, Landmark Builders are proud members of Build it Green, the Marin Builders Association, and NARI. Landmark Builders construction project valuations are generally in the $250,000 – $5,000,000 range. The company is run by President and General Building Contractor Jaimie R. Stewart, a third-generation San Franciscan who has worked locally in the construction industry since 1976.

Featured Projects

Landmark Builders worked with renowned architect Mark English on a large family compound on a hillside side in Healdsburg, offering commanding views of Russian River. Created to allow an extended family to comfortably gather, the property features a mix of private and public areas. The modern courtyard home faces a guest house and an infinity edge pool. Landmark Builders built three different master suites into this country getaway home. They integrated natural and renewable cooling features, including overhangs specifically sized for solar control, a PV system, and high-efficiency systems including solar shades. A dropped soffit ceiling in the main living area allows for strategic venting and acts to draw trapped heated air out from behind the shade. Landmark Builders also built a gorgeous home with a standout, sophisticated kitchen that was featured in Dream Kitchens and Beautiful Homes magazines. The construction company integrated high-end technology and sleek appliances into the kitchen, contrasting the cool metals with warm wood tones and spicy orange tiles. Other elements delicately built into the room include etched glass insets within cherry cabinetry, an elevated glass bar top supported by steel rods, and a woven veneer to the island with a chocolate marble counter.

About Upcscale Construction

Upscale has grown into a standout Bay Area construction firm since its founding. The company has built solid working relationships with many of San Francisco’s top professionals, including architect Stanley Saitowitz, William Duff Architects, designer Kendall Wilkinson, and Stephen Sutro Architects. The company’s work has caught the attention of numerous industry publications, such as California Home + Design and LUXE Interiors + Design. Upscale Construction works on both traditional and contemporary residential projects with the goal of delivering high standards at competitive pricing. Founder and Principal Danny Bernardini has worked in construction for nearly 30 years. Today, he is joined at Upscale Construction by Principals and Co-Owners Tony Kelly and Brad Hayes. The company has a close-knit work culture informed by the diverse backgrounds of their skilled craftsmen. They excel at a wide variety of projects, from modern residences to historic renovations.

Featured Projects

On West Dry Creek Road in Healdsburg, Upscale Construction built a new contemporary passive home. Working with architect Stephen Sutro and designer Claudia Juestel, the home is beautifully sited and anchored on two levels into a vineyard ridge. This gorgeous property has many special sustainable features built in, including photovoltaic solar panels on the main roof, engineered wood products for the framing, and reclaimed lumber siding on the exterior elevations. Throughout the interior of the home are stained concrete floors over radiant heating and the living room has a board formed fireplace element. Concrete planter beds function as both structural elements and a soft transition from an expansive pool terrace to the vineyard. And the main roof trellis combines with a site trellis, providing considerable indoor/outdoor entertainment area. This home was featured by LUXE.

About Fairweather & Associates

Fairweather & Associates has enhanced the built environment of Sonoma County with gorgeous homes since 1989. Their homes are modern, innovative, and rooted in locality. The company is passionate about creating thoughtfully designed homes that are appropriate to the rich landscape of wine country. They have worked with many prominent area design firms, including Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Guy Stiles Architect, Keith Anding Architect, and David Baker + Partners. Run by President Simon Fairweather, the company’s core business is designing and building new, modern, green homes. Fairweather & Associates typically manages projects from an initial consultation, prior to design, thru completion of construction. Fairweather believes that excellent design is the foundation of a successful project and is involved as early as possible in the design process. For greater control over the quality of their work, they also operate a 12,000 square foot shop to prefabricate building components, millwork, and cabinets. Fairweather does not subcontract framing or finish carpentry work because it would lessen their ability to consistently deliver the quality of work for which they have become known. Dedicated to sustainable homes, Fairweather is committed to the use of reclaimed materials throughout their projects.

Featured Projects

Fairweather & Associates worked with top San Francisco practice Leddy Maytum Stacy Architect on ‘McDonnel’ – a gorgeous sustainable home in Sebastopol. The home features an abundance of smart design choices and siting to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact. The entire property is organized as a series of stepped levels using architectural concrete retaining walls. Living areas of the modest, loft-style home are enclosed by a ribbon of full height, high-performance windows. A central stair wraps around a freestanding fireplace and extends two-stories at the rear of the home. The back of the house opens onto a private back patio through two levels of floor-to-ceiling windows. This home earned a Merit Award from the Redwood Empire chapter of the AIA. And at 12550 Henno Road in Glen Allen, the construction company built a unique contemporary estate that includes a 2,000 square foot main house, 400 square foot guest cottage, and a separate multi-use studio/office. This home is now for sale for $4.75 million. Fairweather & Associates worked closely with architect Keith Anding to create this home in total harmony with its surroundings and highlight beautiful views of mountains and vineyards. The estate uses Corten Steel Siding, reclaimed redwood, neutral colored stucco, and generous expanses of glass. And in Calistoga, Fairweather & Associates recently finished a home remodel designed by the prestigious firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson. Named ‘Poggi’, this home gave a Tuscan-style retreat a modern makeover. This home carefully mixed wood, stone, and lighting for a warm and clean environment and opened up interior spaces.

About Nordby Construction Company

Nordby Construction Company has been a leader in construction in Northern California since 1978. Through their Signature Homes division, the construction company builds first-class homes ranging from sleek and modern to traditional. Nordby Signature Homes blend an intimate personalized approach with proven work practices founded by three generations of dedicated builders. The company has worked with many notable architects and a discerning clientele. Professional collaborations include with Taylor Lombardo Architects, JMA Architects, and Strauss Architects. Nordby Construction Company’s Signature Homes division was created in 1996 to provide more specialized service offerings for residential clients. Today, Nordby Signature Homes is a full-service contracting team focused on custom residential and estate building. The construction company takes a collaborative approach to each project to achieve thoroughly cohesive results. Norby Signature Home’s president David Schroeder oversees residential construction company-wide. He has over 20 years of experience as a builder and joined the Norby team in 2000. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management and Engineering with undergraduate studies in architecture from Arizona State University.

Featured Projects

Nordby Construction collaborated with Taylor Lombardo Architects on a classic contemporary Mediterranean residence in Sonoma. This 6,000 square foot home integrates fine finishes and demonstrates the company’s excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail. The home is flooded with natural light, enhanced by high ceilings. The main living areas flow onto extensive, covered outdoor living space through a large wall of pocket glass doors. And the company built a ranch style estate with Chuck Peterson Architects in Healdsburg. With a 4,300 square foot main house, 1,340 square foot book out and 2,380 square foot barn, this property showcases Nordby’s expansive capabilities and craftsmanship. The main home features a fine blending of materials, including extensive stonework, use of wood, and steel siding, as well as large walls of glass. The estate’s rustic pool house has an exterior of wood siding, rusted metal roofing, and stone columns. Its living room has sliding french doors that open up the entire room to the pool, a wet bar, dressing room and bath. The lower floor is an open music room with access to the rear vineyards. And a two-story multi-functional barn was also designed for use as a future winery. It includes a temperature controlled barrel room, upper storage loft, and office. The exterior has a galvanized roof, painted wood siding, and a sandblasted concrete wainscoting for durability.

About Paul White Construction, Inc.

Paul White Construction Inc. (PWC), is a full-service general contractor, custom home builder, and Star metal building supplier/installer based in Santa Rosa. This top-tier construction company serves the Sonoma and Napa and also works in other San Francisco and North Bay areas. The company has worked with top architecture studios, including Mark English, House + House, and Dowling Studios. Their work has been featured in California Home + Design, Metropolitan Home magazine, Fine Homebuilding’s annual issue on houses, and San Francisco magazine, among others. Paul White Construction was founded in 1986 and remains committed to a tradition of excellence in custom home building and commercial construction. With over 20 years of experience in all manners of building types, their broad base of expertise has equipped them to handle even the most challenging of projects. They work closely with a team of building experts and professionals which include architects, designers, engineers, subcontractors, consultants, and suppliers. Founder Paul White is a Certified Green Building Professional practicing in many aspects of the green building industry and has completed green rated projects -including a custom home that achieved platinum status. The construction company is associated with Build it Green and Star Buildings.

Featured Projects

Paul White Construction built a Glen Ellen home designed by House + House Architects. Named ‘Dos Iguanas’’, this 3,200 square foot home is spread over its gently sloping site like a pile of building blocks. The home is built to open up to and embrace its site with terraces and courtyards on every side. The exterior of the home is covered in red and ochre stucco. The main living areas and master suite open onto stone terraces that flow into gardens and a lower pool terrace. The project includes the use of recycled wood flooring and the walls are sculpted into niches, seats, and ledges. And in Healdsburg, the company recently completed a collaboration with Dowling Studios on a 4,000 square foot custom home with a detached guesthouse/garage, pool, recreational barn, and tennis court. Set on top of a grassy knoll, this property demanded expert building techniques to accommodate its steeply graded site. The home captures expansive Dry Creek Valley and vineyards views from a large, partially covered patio. Sustainable properties are built in throughout the home to maximize energy efficiency. Paul White Construction also extensively remodeled and expanded a charming, but small Healdsburg cottage. Working again with Dowling Studios, this existing home lacked the necessary space for its owners and did not take advantage of its location. Paul White Construction expanded the living room, removed a second-story loft to allow for a double height space throughout the home’s main living and dining areas, and added a window wall that frames views of the courtyard and creates a stronger connection to the outdoors. A 1,500 square foot addition accommodates a new entry and ground level master suite, as well as a pool room and additional guest room below.

About Carreiro Builders Inc.

Carreiro Builders creates homes throughout California’s wine country with superior craftsmanship and integrity, making them one of the North Bay’s preferred general contractors for over 30 years. Run by CEO and Principal Tom Carreiro and General Manager and Principal Steve Carreiro, Carreiro Builders has worked on a wide range of residential projects in Napa and Sonoma. They have built strong relationships with area professionals, working repeatedly with trusted local professionals, such as Jim McCalligan Architects. Carreiro Builders works on a range of residential projects, from minor remodels, large additions, and entirely customized new homes. The company has built long-time relationships with reliable subcontractors to deliver exceptional results they can be proud of. They emphasize good communication, careful attention to detail, and quality personalized service. Their proactive approach to each project is key to creating a hassle-free experience for their clients. Carreiro Builders ‘build with a conscience.’ They believe that “going green” in building means using common sense and practicing good stewardship towards the earth and its limited resources. They use sustainable materials, constructed in a way that will last a long time – saving resources for future use.

Featured Projects

Carreiro Builders worked with Jim McCalligan Architects on an ultra-contemporary home on Mark West Springs Road in Santa Rosa. This project feels more like a resort than a typical home. The two main sections – the living area and bedrooms – are separated by a beautiful lap pool and patio area, connected by a covered breezeway. Inside, the home is built with high ceilings, large picture windows, stained concrete floors with radiant heating, and carefully integrated stainless steel accents. Special features include concrete countertops with built-in basins, wall-mounted faucets, and beautiful custom cabinets. And with Dean Design Group, the construction company built an expansive farm-style estate. The expansive, Sebastopol home spans three living quarters. The main house has four bedrooms, a separate one-bedroom guesthouse is set a bit away for privacy, and a separate, two-bedroom, two-bathroom mother-in-law unit offers extra space for guests. The main home was built for open living and group gathering, with the family room opening up to a large outdoor patio. Out the south door, Carreiro Builders created a radiant heated veranda with a garage to one side and bocce ball court to the other. When one enters the main home through the front entrance, they come upon a beautiful, quarter round sweeping staircase. Off the second-floor master suite is an amazing veranda overlooking the pool and distance vineyards.

About Jungsten Construction

Jungsten Construction builds innovative, sustainable, and high-quality structures throughout Northern California. They have earned an Honor Award from the International Interior Design Association and a Merit Award for Remodeling from Custom Home, and been featured in California Homes, Better Homes & Gardens, Coastal Living, Marin Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Marin Home Magazine, Custom Home Magazine, Interiors magazine, and Remodeling Magazine, among others. Jungsten Construction works with top design professionals, including those at the award-winning Feldman Architecture, zumaooh, and Los Angeles-based Nicholas Budd Architects. Jungsten Construction was founded in 1987 by Jeff Jungsten, based on the principles of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork. The company emphasizes using diverse and expert teams to execute each project. They deliver unmatched quality and value to their clients by using a progressive approach and sustainable techniques. Jeff Jungsten remains a first point of contact for clients and oversees all aspects of his company’s business. Jungsten has over 25 years of construction experience. He is an Advanced Certified Green Building Professional and leads CJC’s extensive sustainability efforts.

Featured Projects

Jungsten Construction worked with the prestigious Jonathan Feldman on a gorgeous home atop a hill overlooking the village of Healdsburg. This wine country home is built with ample social space for entertaining while integrating the privacy of a rural retreat. The estate is comprised of two perpendicular bars – the taller section runs along the ridge of the hill and holds the home’s great room. The building is transformed into an outdoor pavilion with four oversized glass panels that open dramatically on each side. The flush concrete floors extend seamlessly to a poolside patio to one side and a firepit to the other. The home’s second wing extends towards the north and flows from more public space to increasingly private areas. Jungsten also constructed a guesthouse down the hill for their clients. And for a busy New York couple, the construction company built a quiet retreat in Healdsburg with architect Nicholas Budd. The stone-walled house was built discretely among old oak trees and sited to capture sweeping views of Sonoma Valley’s vineyards and spectacular hills. The home’s spaces flow freely into each other and to the outside without interruption. Jungsten Construction also built a modern rural retreat in Santa Rosa with zumaooh. Envisioned as a space where the owners and their children could gather and enjoy quintessential Sonoma living, the home is built in such a way as to encourage a strong connection with the landscape. The project involved a house and pool house with great rooms. The home’s living space creates a seamless transition to the outdoors through the extensive use of windows. This home was the winner of the 2014 IIDA-NC Live Honor Award.

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Jim Murphy & Associates

Contractors:
Jim Murphy

Awards:
2011 Custom Builder of the Year,
2017’s BEST Project in Northern California

About Jim Murphy & Associates

Jim Murphy & Associates provides exceptional home construction, remodeling, commercial construction, and pre-construction services to Sonoma and Napa Counties. The work of Jim Murphy & Associates has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2017’s BEST Project in Northern California and Hawaii in the Office/Retail/Mixed Use category from Engineering News Record, being named one of the best contractors by NorthBay biz Magazine’s readings in a poll, and being named 2011 Custom Builder of the Year by Custom Home. The company and their projects have also caught the attention of many publications. And the company works with the best architects in the area, including numerous collaborations with Backen Gillam Kroeger Architects. In 1968, Murphy began what is now Jim Murphy & Associates. Today, Jim Murphy & Associates includes over 40 men and women, all of whom share in his commitment to delivering the highest quality work. The company brings over 30 years of varied building experience to creating structures of diverse designs and unique features. Their strong view of stewardship guides all aspects of their work. Jim Murphy & Associates places an emphasis on careful project planning and the selection of materials. Their goal of creating sound, functional structures in comfortable environments leads to a close collaboration amongst the entire project team, including designers, architects, and, most importantly, the client. Murphy himself has been in construction most of his adult life, having worked as a carpenter, foreman, superintendent, subcontractor, and general contractor since 1987.

Featured Projects

Jim Murphy & Associates collaborated with the renowned Backen Gillam Kroeger Architects on a contemporary farmhouse-style home in West Sonoma with vineyard views. The home is built to be open and inviting. The exterior features whitewashed cedar siding and a standing seam metal roof. Inside, the home has reclaimed white oak floor and four fireplaces. The home connects to the outside, with a pool, bbq, and fireplace, through oversized ‘Lift-N-Slide’ doors And with Turnbull Griffin Haesloop Architects, Jim Murphy & Associates created a modern minimalist home in Glen Ellen, which was recognized with a Merit Award from the AIA East Bay. This project began with the extensive demolition of existing structures, carefully removing all materials for recycling and re-use. The new structure features horizontal tongue-and-groove cedar siding, large expanses of glazing, and 1,500 square feet of living roof. The home integrates green technology, such as photovoltaic panels for a net-zero goal. The property provides its owners with 3,700 square feet of living space, composed of the main house, a private guest house, and garage. A lap pool with a dive rock completed the company’s work on this project. The construction company also built a contemporary hillside home, designed for and by renowned San Francisco Bay Area architect Darryl Roberson, FAIA, of Studios Architecture. This amazing home has an exterior veneer featuring Rheinzink zinc tile siding. Stone harvested from the building site was incorporated into the home and used in landscape retaining walls. The home features a careful combination of stucco and large storefront windows and doors that connect the indoors with the out. Later, Jim Murphy & Associates built a guesthouse and observatory on the site for Roberson and his wife. Best described as a jewel box, this secondary structure with a steel framework, slate floors, glass block and concrete countertops contrasts with warm maple cabinets, ceilings, and doors.

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Cello & Maudru Construction

Contractors:
Kris Cello
Bill Maudru

Awards:
2003 AIA Excellence in Design Award,
2005 Custom Home of the Year

About Cello & Maudru Construction

Cello & Maudru Construction is one of the most prestigious and well-known construction companies in California’s wine region. They are equally adept at building challenging, sleek, contemporary homes as they are building award-winning wineries. Cello & Maudru Construction has worked with many prestigious design professionals, including Walker Warner Architects, Signum Architecture, Aidlin Darling Design, and Tucker & Marks Design. “We bring the unusually beautiful to life with flawless precision. Whether your vision calls for the latest technology or ancient stone, classical details or spare modernism, we’ll find the most efficient way to make it perfect.” – Cello & Maudru Construction This top-tier company began when founders Kris Cello and Bill Maudru teamed up to renovate Napa’s Hess Collection Winery in 1987. Today, the construction firm has seven partners who work together to build high-end structures throughout Northern California. In addition to their residential work, they also build commercial projects, including wineries. Their team includes carpenters, metalworkers, and cabinet-makers. Working with visionary architects and inspired owners, the company creates handcraft beautiful places that protect and uplift their environment. They are experts in using unusual materials and employing the latest sustainable building techniques.

Featured Projects

Cello & Maudru Construction and Aidlin Darling Design worked together on a stunning Sonoma home. The construction company’s most scrupulous detailing was necessary to master the rigorous geometry designed into the home. Reflecting pools seem to meet under the dining room and the cantilevered roof seems to float in space. The company even carefully installed a freestanding sink carved from a single block of stone. Their techniques were tested by the installation of geothermal heating and cooling and floors of reclaimed Javanese teak. Materials used throughout this home include English oak, mahogany, and cedar metal washed in acid to expose its grain. The home’s exterior is fitted with seismic anchors in its tightly jointed veneer. This 18,000 square foot home exhibits Cello & Maudru Construction’s fine attention to detail and ability to execute even the most difficult building demands. And, also with Aidlin Darling Design in Sonoma, the company built a guest house and barn with artfully striated rammed-earth walls and contemporary accents. The structure’s minimalist styling is exaggerated by its expertly mitered oak cabinets, six-foot steel door pulls, and flush trim. This unusual residence was recognized as the 2005 Custom Home of the Year by Custom Home magazine and earned a 2003 AIA Excellence in Design Award. Cello & Maudru Construction collaborated with Forrest Architects and designers Tucker and Marks on an inviting villa. Close work with the entire team, including the owners, was necessary to accomplish this project on an ambitious schedule. The company expertly integrated a mix of opulent materials, including precast concrete, specially cut French limestone, Rojo Alicante marble, and antique cedar ceilings. They installed high-end technology that emphasized the home’s beauty and enhances function. The 15,900 square foot home perfectly mixes classical European elegance with a modern California sensibility.

Throughout this website, we have explored the work of the Bay Area’s most prestigious residential architects and best interior designers. But behind every successful, world-class structure these architects design – are the builders that make it a reality. These builders have the knowledge, skills, and local networks to meticulously turn architectural drawings into physical buildings. Their superior craftsmanship, attention to detail, and mastery of the newest building technology, including green building techniques, have helped them rise to the top of their fields. Whether they are undertaking a small-scale kitchen remodel, a whole house renovation or a new construction project, the ten general contractors on this list are the best residential builders in the Bay Area today.

About our methodology – We analyzed customer reviews, government building permit data, and the work history of hundreds of residential general contractors and home builders in San Francisco. We also considered what architects the company works with and any awards and recognition their work has received. We didn’t rely solely on one or two metrics to determine which builder was superior to another. For example, if one builder had a lot of positive customer reviews, but lacked a solid work history and permit data, then the reviews had less weight. We looked at all of these factors to determine what residential builders belonged at the top of the list.

About Stroub Construction

Stroub Construction has built custom homes and handled large-scale residential remodels since 1983. Their work has earned them recognition from Qualified Remodeler Magazine and Professional Builder Magazine. The construction company’s work has been featured in over 30 local and national publications, including Architectural Digest, Custom Home, and Sunset. Stroub Construction has been named by Custom Builder Magazine as one of their ‘Builders of the Month’.

Sausalito-based Stroub Construction is run by president Steve Stroub. Stroub began his company with his brother Robert, and one other partner. The company primarily focuses on new construction and remodels of residential properties in San Francisco and southern Marin County. They have earned a solid reputation for their outstanding workmanship and fair pricing.

Featured Projects

Stroub Construction conducted major remodeling on the stately abode at 3524 Jackson Street in Presidio Heights. Just prior to their work, this property was sold for $12.475 million, having been one of the most expensive listings in the city at the time. The company was trusted to remodel this 5,520 square-foot home to the highest standards, with fine detailing. This project included relocating the solarium and skylights, renovating the entire kitchen and three and a half bathrooms. Stroub Construction’s work on the newly purchased home is estimated to have increased the property’s value by more than $5 million.

And the company completely renovated a historic modern home in San Francisco. Originally designed by Frank Lloyd Wright associate Aaron Greene, this home was in need of some updating and restoration. Work on this historic property demanded the highest level of detail and fine craftsmanship throughout. Custom touches included flamed Burlington slate floors, dyed beech paneling and cherry cabinets.

About Plath & Company

For over 40 years, Plath & Company has built and renovated fine homes and historic structures of uncompromising quality and enduring value. The company has worked with many of the Bay Area’s premier architects, including Andrew Skurman, Sutro Architects, and Gast Architects. The company has been trusted to lead preservation work on a number of San Francisco landmarks and most recognizable historic buildings, earning four awards from the California Preservation Foundation.

Steve Plath, Founding Partner and President Emeritus, founded Plath & Company 40 years ago and continues to be involved in the company’s projects. The company excels in particular on historic renovations and remodels. They have completed over 200 historical residential renovations. Plath & Company is proud to be a LEED Platinum Builder. They have earned a reputation for straightforward teamwork, transparent business practices, and proactive problem-solving.

Featured Projects

Plath & Company renovated and restored San Francisco’s Bourn Mansion, one of the most recognizable residences in San Francisco. Having suffered from 40 years of neglect, Plath & Company restored the home to its original splendor, while seismically upgrading the structure and modernizing the plumbing, electrical, and heating systems. The team painstakingly dismantled, repaired, and reinstalled the home’s original woodwork and plaster. And stained glass windows, decorative wall coverings, painted ceilings, and the home’s unique Bruce Porter mural were all carefully restored or recreated.

In one of many collaborations with Sutro Architects, Plath & Company thoroughly updated a mid-Century Pacific Heights home built in 1969. When Plath & Company arrived on the job, the home still had its original kitchen and baths. In addition to giving the property a much needed modern renovation, all the home’s plumbing, heating, and electrical systems were brought up to code. And the structure was reinforced seismically and its original garage widened by digging into the property’s hillside. Plath & Company also built in a 3-paneled window in the master bedroom, giving panoramic views across San Francisco Bay.

And with Andrew Skurman, the company remodeled a Presidio Heights home from top to bottom. This vintage, 1920’s corner residence was an impressive and grand structure but was in need of some serious care and upgrades. Substantial updates were carried out, including foundation upgrades, and new kitchen and bathrooms. Significantly, an extraordinary rooftop deck was installed, with access by way of a new staircase covered by a retractable skylight. The rooftop deck features a built-in kitchen and outstanding views.

About Upscale Construction

Upscale has grown into a standout Bay Area construction firm since its founding. The company has built solid working relationships with many of San Francisco’s top professionals, including architect Stanley Saitowitz, William Duff Architects, designer Kendall Wilkinson, and Stephen Sutro Architects. The company’s work has caught the attention of numerous industry publications, including California Home + Design and Luxe Interiors + Design.

Upscale Construction works on both traditional and contemporary residential projects with the goal of delivering high standards at competitive pricing. Founder and Principal Danny Bernardini has worked in construction for nearly 30 years. Today, he is joined at Upscale Construction by with Principals and Co-Owners Tony Kelly and Brad Hayes. The company has a close-knit work culture informed by the diverse backgrounds of their skilled craftsmen. They excel at a wide variety of projects, from modern residences to historic renovations.

Featured Projects

Upscale Construction worked with William Duff Architects and the top interior designer Kendall Wilkinson to remodel a 1920’s Pacific Heights home to delicately mix traditional and contemporary elements. In the remodeled home, the first-floor living room, dining room, and kitchen all revolved around a contemporary, 2-sided blackened steel fireplace. Other elements include a contemporary wood staircase with ornamental glass railings, reclaimed wood walls, veneer plaster treatments, and traditional plank floors. They also built a wall of wine storage and modern wet-bar in the ground floor family room, which also has timeworn brick walls, new concrete and steel, glass rails and a dramatic wood ceiling with sophisticated perimeter trough lighting. Upscale Construction’s work highlights impressive views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Palace of Fine Arts and blurs the line between indoor and outdoor living, including with paved decks framed by glass rails.

The company also worked with renowned architect Stanley Saitowitz to remodel a 1920s Pacific Heights home. To create a unique, contemporary/traditional space, they expertly mixed together a variety of materials, including reclaimed wood walls, exposed brick, a blackened-steel fireplace, and glass stair railings. The kitchen of this historic home was fully remodeled with dark wood cabinetry, white marble countertops, and a backlit backsplash. Other rooms in the house that required work by the company also included a gym, sauna, and movie screening room.

About Saturn Construction

Saturn Construction is a full-service general contracting company that works on some of the best residential spaces in the Bay Area. The company has partnered with many of San Francisco’s most successful design firms, including Nick Noyes Architecture, Boor Bridges, Orlando-Diaz Ascuy Design Associates, ChrDUAER Architects, and Todd David Architecture. Their work has caught the eye of several design publications, including Dwell, Interiors, and California Home + Design.

Owned by Dave Tricamo, Saturn Construction works directly with clients from pre-construction to post-construction maintenance on residential remodels and new construction. In addition to their high-end residential projects, Saturn Construction also completes commercial projects throughout the city.

Featured Projects

Saturn Construction worked with Surface Design Inc. to renovate a three-story Victorian-era building into a modern home, bringing harmony to the living space for a family of four. The scope of this project included carving out two bedrooms for the children, renovating the outdated kitchen into a functional, high-end space, remodeling a powder room, and adding Venetian plaster accent walls and painting throughout. The company also waterproofed the home and renovated an amazing third-story roof deck. The team also installed an extensive wall unit built with FSC certified plywood and eco-friendly resin panels, lending a modern and playful feeling to the home, while also serving as to separate the home office and children’s play space.

And for the owners of a four-story Pacific Heights home, Saturn Construction worked with Orlando-Diaz Ascuy Design Associates to build add character and warmth to their home. The company replaced old carpeting with wenge flooring and resurfaced all of the existing hardwood throughout the home. Custom lighting was installed, including a recessed color-changing fixture above a living room alcove, new paint and fabric walls were put up, and stonework was refinished. The end result is a contemporary space with a blend of textures mixed together with the finest craftsmanship.

Saturn Construction also worked with top area firm Boor Bridges Architecture to add living space off the back of a 1890’s home. This job required great technical skill. The construction company carved into the hillside and created a heated patio for entertaining and an outdoor shower and bathtub. They also cut skylights into the roof and added a new kitchen and bathroom.

About Drömhus General Contracting

Even with its comparatively short amount of time in the business, Drömhus General Contracting has worked with some of the area’s top professionals, including Jensen Architects, John Maniscalco Architecture, Sutro Architects, Ian Birchall and Associates, and Jay Jeffers Design. Their work has earned awards from AIA San Francisco, and been featured in Architectural Record, the San Francisco Chronicle, Cottages and Gardens, Wallpaper Magazine, and SF Gate.

The company’s name, Drömhus, is Swedish for “dream home” and represents the type of project the construction firm has become known for executing. Their homes are beautifully crafted and unique to each client. The company is known for its holistic approach to collaborating with designers, making the construction process seamless and true to architectural plans and vision. Their staff of about 30 diverse individuals comes from a mixed background of art, design, real estate, and architecture, allowing them to enhance the outcome of each home.

Featured Projects

DrömHus General Contractors worked with John Maniscalco Architecture to renovate and expand a mid-century modern Presidio Heights dwelling. With 4,300 square feet, 2 floors, and an expansive roof deck with sweeping views of The Golden Gate Bridge and Presidio Park, DrömHus General Contractors saw endless possibilities for architectural collaboration. Inside, the home features wide-open, column-free spaces, which required surgical insertion of new steel structural members. The company also built in a new basement, which required complicated excavation, shoring, and a new shotcrete foundation. They also procured and managed the installation of custom engineered, European old-growth oak flooring and the cantilevered, wood-clad steel stair. DrömHus General Contractors considers this one of our most imaginative of marquee projects.

And the construction firm worked with Jensen Architects to completely renovate a Victorian mansion built in 1889 overlooking Alamo Square Park. The 16-room home was outfitted with luxury finishes, including floor-to-ceiling windows, a statement central staircase, and a gorgeous roof deck with an outdoor kitchen. The kitchen mixes contemporary and traditional finishes and has an eat-in breakfast area. In the master suite, DrömHus General Contractors created an upscale, spa-like bathroom and large walk-in closet. The finished home was featured in Cottages & Gardens, Wallpaper Magazine, and SF Gate.

About Nova Designs + Builds

Nova Designs + Builds has worked on over 1,000 projects in San Francisco, ranging from remodels to custom home builds. The company’s work has been featured on SFGate.com, TheBasisPoint.com, and in Elle Decor. Earlier this year, we named Nova Designs + Builds as one of the best design/build firms in San Francisco.

John Schraeder founded Nova Designs + Builds, a full-service design and construction company in 1990, after gaining extensive practical experience working on conservation and renovation projects in New York City. The San Jose native and Principal Contractor was joined in Nova by Belgium architect Fabien Lannoye in 1999.

Schrader has always worked in the creative fields. After studying music composition and classical studies at West Valley College and San Jose State University, he pursued a career as a composer, professional musician and art-oriented entrepreneur. His unique experiences are reflected in his ability to manipulate the visual and built environment with light, color, and spatial planning.

Featured Projects

Nova Designs + Builds has received significant praise for their renovation of a 4,600 square-foot townhouse from 1938 in Pacific Heights. Their work returned this duplex to a single-family residence and took advantage of direct views to Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge. The home features spacious, open living and a studio apartment/in-law suite.

The company also created a beautiful indoor/outdoor home at 2 Everson Street. Their design and careful craftsmanship of this family-home takes full advantage of its surroundings. The main living area is situated on the top floor and features reclaimed hardwood flooring, a free-standing fireplace, and a wall of picture windows. Nova built the top floor to cantilever above an exterior covered living room, with its own fireplace, outdoor kitchen, and stone grotto.

Nova Design + Builds also redesigned and carried out the renovations on what is (currently) the most expensive home for sale in the city – a $22 million four-story Pacific Heights home at 2476 Broadway.

About Mueller Nicholls Builders

Established in 1981, Oakland-based Mueller Nicholls Builders is a leader in both the cabinet and construction industries. The company works with some of the Bay Area’s top architects, including Butler Armsden, Ana Williamson Architect, OXB Studio Architects, and Studio Urbis. MN Builders’ work has been featured in California Home + Design, Better Homes and Gardens, and Luxe Interiors + Designs.

The company was founded by Founder and CEO Steve Nicholls; Rich Robb is the General Manager of MN Construction. MN Builders specializes in mid-size to large, high-end partial and comprehensive remodels throughout the Bay Area. In its 35 years in business, the construction company has built relationships with the area’s best architects, designers, and subcontractors – connections they now use to deliver high-quality work at fair prices to their clients. They are known for their ability to help clients through all planning stages, including helping them assemble a top-rate team if necessary.

Featured Projects

Partnering with Butler Armsden Architects, MN Builders renovated a traditional Pacific Heights home into a functional and open space. When MN Builders started this project, the stately home was cluttered and had small, cut-off rooms surrounding an undersized and outdated kitchen. Their work involved the installation of steel moment frames and I-beams to replace the lower floor’s maze of rooms – resulting in an open concept kitchen and living area. Renovated access to the outdoors extended the livable space of this home, allowing its owners to easily transition to its newly renovated backyard.

And MN Builders also renovated a generously-sized apartment into a modern, high-end home with architects from Studio Urbis. The outdated flat was completely reworked to have an open and contemporary interior. MN Builders carefully installed elegant and deceptively simple details and finishes – metal, wood, concrete, plaster, and color throughout the new family space.

They also breathed new life into an outdated, bayside family-home in Marin County, working closely with OXB Architects. The home was transformed into a comfortable, contemporary space by opening up the kitchen and living room and providing better access to the outdoors. With the installation of window walls that completely fold out of the way, the family was given a fuller sense and direct sight lines to the water right outside their home. And in a nod to more traditional finishes, limestone tiles were be installed on vertical surfaces around the fireplace. MN Builders also modernized the entry and adjoining mudroom/bathroom with clean and simple details, as well as the front of the house facing onto the street.

About Ethan Allen Construction

Ethan Allen Construction builds standout homes across the Bay Area. The company has worked with many renowned Bay Area architects, including John Malick & Associates, John Maniscalco Architecture, and Faulkner Architects. The company’s work has drawn the attention of AIA SF, California Home + Design, Dwell, Modern Luxury Interiors: California, and Mountain Living, among others.

The team at Ethan Allen Construction specializes in new custom home construction and remodels, both in dense urban areas and as vacation retreats in the woods.Founder Ethan Allen began his career as a Bay Area residential carpenter, taking the traditional approach of working one’s way through every facet of the building process. He brings over 25 years of experience building the highest quality homes, luxury cabins, and remodels to Ethan Allen Construction. Although the company has grown considerably since it was founded, Allen is dedicated to client satisfaction and still manages each job and has a presence on each job in order to deliver excellent results. Each project team is selected to ensure that client concerns, architectural vision, craftsmanship, and budget remain the focus.

Featured Projects

Ethan Allen Construction has worked with elite area firm John Maniscalco Architecture on numerous projects. One such project is the award-winning “Butterfly House” on Russian HIll. This project reimagined a four-story mid-century home for a young couple, turning it into a modern, indoor/outdoor masterpiece. The team’s work took advantage of the panoramic views the property offers by adding a glass-floor roof deck, wrap-around terraces, and outdoor access on every floor with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass pocket doors. They also reversed the typical home layout and reorganized the common, living spaces to the top level of the home. The open-plan interior construction has crisp, clean lines and includes a mix of douglas fir and soft gray concrete flooring. Other elements of this project include an underground wine cellar, multi-point doors converted to electric strike to allow for keyless entry and exit, a ceiling drop down television, and recessed electric blinds on all windows.

And in Piedmont, Ethan Allen Construction teamed up with architects John Malick and Associates to remodel a two-story family home. Done in the French Provincial style, this project involved an overhaul of the outdated kitchen and joined together the family room, pantry, and downstairs wine cellar. The country style kitchen is graced with arches and inviting color. This is enhanced by the pantry’s oval design with an elliptical dome ceiling. An elegant spiral staircase was created for access to the home’s wine cellar.

About Kevin Webb Construction

Kevin Webb Construction is a high-end contracting and general construction firm in San Francisco with over 30 years of experience ranging from renovations of historical residences to the construction of multi-unit buildings. The team is behind some award-winning work, including the conversion of a historic property into an AIA winning residence. Webb Construction works repeatedly with highly regarded architects and developers, such as BAR Architects, Charlie Barnett Associates, and Ogrydziak / Prillinger.

All of Kevin Webb Construction projects demonstrate attention to detail and exceptional craftsmanship. The talented professionals who comprise Webb Construction orchestrate and implement all phases of construction efficiently and with great care.

Founder Kevin Webb has 38 years of construction experience. He began as a carpenter in the early 1980’s working on large projects downtown. This experience led him to general contracting with a specialization in carefully crafted and well designed residential projects. His resume includes meticulous projects in sometimes challenging settings: from historical preservation projects in the Presidio to a custom residence for the largest landlord in San Francisco, to several multi-unit condominium projects in Pacific Heights and Russian Hill, (with record-setting sales prices). All of his projects are rooted in attention to every detail and a respect for the legacy of their settings.

Featured Projects

Kevin Webb Construction has teamed up with leading architects Ogrydziak/Prillinger on a number of residential projects throughout the Bay Area. One of their latest projects, 1945 Hyde received an AIA Design Award. Named “The Garage on Hyde”, this building offered excellent bones in a desirable residential area, with dramatic volumes. One of the city’s most exciting recent residential remodels, this project preserving the historic features of the building’s industrial past such as window design, street-level openings, and materiality, while inserting distinct, but quiet, new spatial blocks and finishes.

And the company collaborated with B.A.R. Architects on a 4,000 square foot home At the top of Edgehill Way in San Francisco. This home was built out as a contemporary homage to the Arts and Crafts aesthetic. Kevin Webb COnstruction’s exceptional carpentry skills are on display in their work on this project, particularly evident in the rustic sophistication of its interior and exterior spaces. Unique to this design is the use of vertical grain Hemlock, cladding the vast expanse of interior walls, ceiling, and exposed complex trusses.

The company also worked with Ogrydzkiak / Prillinger Architects and visual artist James Turrell on a cylindrical ‘skyspace home’ situated on a hilltop site at a vineyard in Sonoma. They carefully incorporated an existing water tower into the new home.

About GGD, Inc.

GGD, Inc. creates unique custom homes throughout the Bay Area. The company’s work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Luxe Interiors & Designs, Gentry Home, San Francisco Magazine, and on WSJ.com. The company has built strong relationships with key tradesmen and design professionals, leading to their repeat collaborations with top area architects, including Butler Armsden and Suzanne Tucker of Tucker & Marks Inc.

GGD, Inc. Founder and President Glenn Goodman has over 42 years of experience in construction management and contracting. He takes an active role in every company project, overseeing each project’s advance construction requirements and monitoring the day-to-day construction. GGD, Inc. is committed to reducing the ecological impact of their build. To that end, they are active supporters of Save The Bay and Build It Green initiatives.

Before forming his own company in 2008, Goodman spent nine years as a project manager with the acclaimed Van Acker Construction, included at the top of this list. Throughout his career, he has served as CEO for a San Francisco engineering services and construction management firm, as well as Operations Manager and Vice President for four other construction management firms. While he was CEO of Geo Resource Consultants, the firm was awarded a 1997 Small Contractor of the Year Award from the U.S. Air Force and General Services Accounting Agency.

Featured Projects

GGD, Inc. has collaborated with the prestigious architects at Butler Armsden for numerous Bay Area projects. Together, they renovated a 1906 single-family hilltop home in Buena Vista Park, opening the home up to the far-reaching views of the outdoors. They also worked together on a top-to-bottom remodel of a house at 2841 Divisadero Street, changing the outdated space into an open, contemporary home. Work involved a complete reconfiguration the main-floor living area and kitchen and the addition of an office and a terrace deck. In the master bedroom, the team added a rolling skyline and en-suite bathroom that featured intricate glass tile work.

GGD, Inc. also rejuvenated and refinished a 1939 William Wurster designed home with gardens designed by Tommy Church. The work on this historic property was done in true to period materials and finishes with modern details. Details included interior veneer plaster throughout and pre-finished, German made, European Oak floors. The project scale also involved an expanded basement Den, Laundry and Wine Room. Each bedroom was given a full bath with traditional Tadelakt plaster walls and a fully remodeled guest suite was finished above the garage.

About Peter Downey Construction

Founded in 1979, Peter Downey Construction specializes in premium residential building, including new construction and remodels. The company works with accomplished architecture firms, including BAR Architects, Richard Beard, and Butler Armsden. Their work has earned several prestigious awards, including a Julia Morgan Award and an award from Residential Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.

Peter Downey Construction works across the Bay Area. Their work can be found in San Francisco’s most exclusive neighborhoods, as well as Marin, Piedmont, Berkeley, Montclair, Orinda, and the Oakland Hills. PDC has 35 years of experience revitalizing and updating historic homes, including Victorian, Craftsman, and Modern-era buildings. They maintain a network of artisans and skilled mechanics who can be relied upon to provide specialized skills of any kind to any degree necessary.

Featured Projects

Peter Downey Construction and BAR Architects renovated a landmark 1924 Pacific Heights Home. The historic G. Albert Lansburgh designed and built home was updated into a clean and contemporary residence that provided the perfect background to the owner’s extensive collection of modern art. This was achieved by making the interior composed of large, open, and naturally lit spaces, with a floorplan that provided considerably wall space to hang art. The home has a number of amenities and special features: a double-height entryway with a skylight, cantilevered stone staircase with a hammered bronze railing, wood burning fireplace, wine cellar, home office, sauna, gym, and a game room with a wet bar. Exterior modifications include all new windows, new stucco and paint, the addition of a 2-story bay window and cantilevered balconies on the north side. The finished home was recognized with a Julia Morgan Award, Honorable Mention for Interior Design & Decoration from the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.

And working in close collaboration with Thayer Hopkins Architects, Peter Downey Construction remodeled a historic mansion in Presidio Heights. Located at 1 Maple Street, this 1928 mansion necessitated updates for modern amenities, while at the same time the owners wished to preserve its historic character. The construction company brought the home to a full historic articulation and detail befitting the original high English architecture. 21st-century amenities and fine finishes were included throughout the interior, such as Jerusalem gold limestone, scagliola marble, and classic, English plaster. The floorplan of the main living level was completely reconfigured to open the space up for formal entertaining and more open living. And in keeping with the original street facade, the rear elevation was redesigned amid new formal gardens.

About Design Line Construction

Design Line Construction is a preeminent builder known for beautifully crafted and forward-thinking homes. Their work earned them a number of awards, including Builder’s Choice & Custom Home Merit Awards, Custom Home of the Year at the Builder’s Choice Custom Home Design Awards, and the 2015 Remodeling Grand Award in Whole-house Remodeling. A recent home of theirs also received an AIA California Merit Award. The company works with some of the best professionals in the city, including Feldman Architecture, Sutro Architects, Jay Jeffers, and John Maniscalco Architecture.

Design Line Construction was founded in 1998 by Andrew McHale. Since then, the company has established a reputation as an efficient, progressive, and transparent general contractor. Design Line Construction embraces technological advancements that benefit their work and that encourage accountability. Their work can be seen around the San Francisco Bay Area, North Bay, Wine Country, and Peninsula.

McHale began his career in England, where he completed a City and Gilded Apprenticeship followed by accreditations in construction, drafting, and engineering. He then relocated to New York, working in the field on high-end residences in Manhattan, Westchester County, and Connecticut.

Featured Projects

In Cole Valley, Design Line Construction worked with John Maniscalco Architecture on a total remodel of a 1946 four-story hillside home. The nearly 6,000 square foot home was stripped down to the studs and the basement and garage were completely excavated. All floors within the home are linked by an elevator and gorgeous wood-and-bronze cantilevered staircases. An acclimated walnut wine cellar and billiards room were added on the entertainment level and the upstairs floors were outfitted with high-end finishes. White oak floors, custom cabinets, Italian stone slab walls, and heath tile fill the main living areas, while a glass and steel catwalk links the two of the upstairs bedrooms, overlooking the dining room, which has two-story vaulted ceilings. Walls of glass doors fold away to open the main floor to the Zen garden, which features an outdoor fireplace, grill and seating areas, and stone walls with built-in climbing holds.

And their work on an unconventional 4,500 square foot modern home, done in collaboration with Feldman Architecture, was recognized with the Grand Prize at the 2015 Remodeling Design Awards, earned a Merit Award from Builder & Custom Home, and was featured in AIA SF Home Tours. To turn this formerly traditional townhouse into a playful modern family-home, the team opened up the home and added eclectic finishes and details. The main floor has a great room with combined dining, living, and kitchen spaces, including a two-story tall kitchen. The great room flows effortlessly onto an outdoor deck and large backyard, opened up by a wall of folding glass doors. A metal-screened stair leads from the street level to a catwalk that surrounds an atrium. The catwalk leads to private bedrooms and another stair that runs diagonally across the atrium, leading to a floating office and roof deck.

About Ryan Associates

For over 30 years, Ryan Associates has built extraordinary homes in the Bay Area. They have built solid relationships with some of the best design professionals in the area, leading to many projects with top practices, including Aidlin Darling Design, Walker Warner Architects, Zack de Vito Architecture, BAR Architects, Andrew Skurman, Sutro Architects, and Geddes Ulinskas Architects. Their work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Dwell, Modern Luxury Interiors, and California Home + Design, among those.

Founded in 1979, the company has built a reputation for delivering expert craftsmanship in traditional and contemporary residential projects. The employee-owned company, founded by Paul Ryan and Jim Friedman, loves solving the challenges of building complex projects, drawing on proven experience, technical and managerial expertise, and commitment to innovation. In addition to their residential projects, Ryan Associates builds commercial and hospitality structures.

Featured Projects

Ryan Associates collaborated with Walker Warner Architects to renovate a 1951 William Wurster residence in Pacific Heights. Work on this home carefully preserved the mid-century modern aesthetic and historic integrity, while updating interior spaces for modern, 21st-century living. The builders also installed building systems for energy-efficiency and sustainability. A completely reconfigured floor plan and the addition of windows around a courtyard serve to enhance the indoor/outdoor connection – a staple of Wurster’s designs. Ryan Associates seamlessly integrated many iconic Wurster building materials into the home’s renovation, including horizontal siding and paneling, wood windows and doors, a neutral color palette, and refined detailing.

In collaboration with the renowned Aidlin Darling Design firm, Ryan Associates completed a Mill Valley ‘Courtyard Residence.’ Work on this new residential project involved the construction of a series of interconnected pavilions enclosing a garden. In addition to integrating high-end materials and finishes, Ryan Associates incorporated fuel cell and solar panel technologies, passive cooling, greywater reclamation, and extensive use of reclaimed finish materials.

And the construction company teamed up with Zack de Vito Architecture to renovate a high-rise city apartment. Completed for a couple with grown children, the work on this urban retreat is sophisticated and demanded a high level of detail and precision. Main rooms were moved to the perimeter of the space to accentuate the phenomenal city views and capture natural light. An “inner cube” was placed at the center of the apartment, anchoring the space with services and an entertaining kitchen. Ryan Associates also built in areas of poche that act as containers for hidden storage and delineate transitions of space.

About Forde Mazzola Assoc. Inc

Forde Mazzola Associates Inc. is a general contractor with over 25 years of experience in high-end residential building in San Francisco and the Bay Area. The company excels with a range of aesthetics and styles, evidenced by their work repeat work with high-profile San Francisco architects and firms, such as Andrew Skurman and Butler Armsden. Forde Mazzola projects have drawn attention from SF Luxe, Home World Design, and Architectural Digest, among other industry publications.

Forde Mazzola Assoc. Inc was founded by Charles Mazzola and David Forde. Since then, they have completed over 150 residential construction projects. The pair is committed to excellence and delivering the highest level of service to their clients. They are known for high-end remodels of condominium units and single-family homes. In addition to their work on individual residential projects, Forde Massola Assoc. Inc also conducts renovation work on large apartment buildings and hotels.

Featured Projects

Forde Mazzola conducted work on a full-floor high-end apartment at 2000 Washington No. 4, which is currently offered for sale at $7.5 million. The construction company collaborated with the city’s most recognized professionals such as architect Andrew Skurman and Suzanne Tucker of Tucker & Marks. The finished result of this completely remodeled 1922 apartment was featured in Architectural Digest, California Homes, Robb Report, and other publications. The apartment reflects an old European ambiance with modern amenities, seamlessly weaved together through luxurious details and the finest craftsmanship.

Working again with top-area architect Andrew Skurman, Forde Mazzola remodeled a Beaux Arts condominium in Nob Hill. The historic home still contained an abundance of original